P53-miR-191-SOX4 regulatory loop affects apoptosis in breast cancer.

miRNAs have emerged as key participants of p53 signaling pathways because they regulate or are regulated by p53. Here, we provide the first study demonstrating direct regulation of an oncogenic miRNA, miR-191-5p, by p53 and existence of a regulatory feedback loop. Using a combination of qRT-PCR, promoter-luciferase, and chromatin-immunoprecipitation assays, we show that p53 brings about down-regulation of miR-191-5p in breast cancer. miR-191-5p overexpression brought about inhibition of apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and ZR-75) as demonstrated by reduction in annexin-V stained cells and caspase 3/7 activity, whereas miR-191-5p down-regulation showed the opposite. We further unveiled that SOX4 was a direct target of miR-191-5p. SOX4 overexpression was shown to increase p53 protein levels in MCF7 cells. miR-191-5p overexpression brought about down-regulation of SOX4 and thus p53 levels, suggesting the existence of a regulatory feedback loop. Breast cancer treatment by doxorubicin, an anti-cancer drug, involves induction of apoptosis by p53; we thus wanted to check whether miR-191-5p affects doxorubicin sensitivity. Interestingly, Anti-miR-191 treatment significantly decreased the IC50 of the doxorubicin drug and thus sensitized breast cancer cells to doxorubicin treatment by promoting apoptosis. Overall, this work highlights the importance of the p53-miR-191-SOX4 axis in the regulation of apoptosis and drug resistance in breast cancer and offers a preclinical proof-of-concept for use of an Anti-miR-191 and doxorubicin combination as a rational approach to pursue for better breast cancer treatment.

Improved efficacy of doxycycline in liposomes against Plasmodium falciparum in culture and Plasmodium berghei infection in mice.

The rate at which Plasmodium falciparum is developing resistance to clinically used antimalarial drugs is alarming. Therefore, there is a compelling need to develop an efficient drug delivery system to improve the efficacy of existing antimalarial agents and circumvent drug resistance. Here, we report the antibacterial drug doxycycline (DOXY) in liposomal formulations exhibits enhanced antiplasmodial activity against blood stage forms of P. falciparum (3D7) in culture and established Plasmodium berghei NK-65 infection in murine model. Parasite killing on blood stage forms in culture was determined by a radiolabeled [3H] hypoxanthine incorporation assay and infected erythrocytes stained with Giemsa were counted using microscopy in vivo. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of DOXY-stearylamine liposome (IC50 0.36 µM) and DOXY-SPC:Chol-liposome (IC50 0.85 µM) exhibited marked growth inhibition of parasites compared with free DOXY (IC50 14 µM), with minimal toxicity to normal erythrocytes. Administration of polyethylene glycol distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine-methoxy-polyethylene glycol2000 (DSPE-mPEG-2000) coated liposomes loaded with DOXY at 2.5 mg/kg per day resulted in efficacious killing of blood parasites with improved survival in mice relative to the free drug in both chloroquine sensitive and resistant strains of P. berghei infection. This is the first report to demonstrate that DOXY in liposomal system has immense chemotherapeutic potential against plasmodial infections at lower dosages.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Antiplasmodial Activity of 2,2,2-Trifluoroethoxychalcones and 2-Fluoroethoxy Chalcones against Plasmodium falciparum in Culture.

A new class of compounds comprising two series of chalcones with 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy group and 2-fluoroethoxy groups were synthesized and screened for in vitro antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (3D7) using the [³H] hypoxanthine incorporation inhibition assay. Chalcones with 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy groups substituted on the p- and m-positions of the 1-phenyl ring showed weak antiplasmodial activity, while compounds substituted on the o-position of the 1-phenyl ring displayed enhanced antiplasmodial activity, thus indicating that 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy groups on the 1-phenyl ring of chalcones show position-dependent antiplasmodial activity. Of the 34 compounds synthesized, chalcones 3a and 3f exhibited significant inhibitory effects, with IC50 values of 3.0 µg/mL and 2.2 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, these compounds 3a and 3f showed profound antiplasmodial activity in combination with artemisinin in vitro. The most active molecules, 3a, and 3f, were further assessed for their cytotoxicity towards mammalian Vero cells and the selectivity index (SI) values are 8.6, and 8.2 respectively, being considered non-toxic. We also studied the antiplasmodial activity of 2-fluoroethoxychalcones to discern the effect of the number of fluorine atoms in the fluoroethoxy group. Our results showed that chalcones with 2-fluoroethoxy group on the 1-phenyl ring exhibited more enhanced inhibitory effects on the growth of parasites than their trifluoro analogues, which reveals that monofluoroethoxy group is generally more effective than trifluoroethoxy group in the inhibition of parasite growth. Thus o-2,2,2-trifluoroethoxychalcones (Series 3) and 2-fluoroethoxychalcones may serve as good antiplasmodial candidates for future further development.

Stearylamine Liposomal Delivery of Monensin in Combination with Free Artemisinin Eliminates Blood Stages of Plasmodium falciparum in Culture and P. berghei Infection in Murine Malaria.

The global emergence of drug resistance in malaria is impeding the therapeutic efficacy of existing antimalarial drugs. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop an efficient drug delivery system to circumvent drug resistance. The anticoccidial drug monensin, a carboxylic ionophore, has been shown to have antimalarial properties. Here, we developed a liposome-based drug delivery of monensin and evaluated its antimalarial activity in lipid formulations of soya phosphatidylcholine (SPC) cholesterol (Chol) containing either stearylamine (SA) or phosphatidic acid (PA) and different densities of distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine-methoxy-polyethylene glycol 2000 (DSPE-mPEG-2000). These formulations were found to be more effective than a comparable dose of free monensin in Plasmodium falciparum (3D7) cultures and established mice models of Plasmodium berghei strains NK65 and ANKA. Parasite killing was determined by a radiolabeled [(3)H]hypoxanthine incorporation assay (in vitro) and microscopic counting of Giemsa-stained infected erythrocytes (in vivo). The enhancement of antimalarial activity was dependent on the liposomal lipid composition and preferential uptake by infected red blood cells (RBCs). The antiplasmodial activity of monensin in SA liposome (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 0.74 nM) and SPC:Chol-liposome with 5 mol% DSPE-mPEG 2000 (IC50, 0.39 nM) was superior to that of free monensin (IC50, 3.17 nM), without causing hemolysis of erythrocytes. Liposomes exhibited a spherical shape, with sizes ranging from 90 to 120 nm, as measured by dynamic light scattering and high-resolution electron microscopy. Monensin in long-circulating liposomes of stearylamine with 5 mol% DSPE-mPEG 2000 in combination with free artemisinin resulted in enhanced killing of parasites, prevented parasite recrudescence, and improved survival. This is the first report to demonstrate that monensin in PEGylated stearylamine (SA) liposome has therapeutic potential against malaria infections.

Potential therapeutic applications of plant toxin-ricin in cancer: challenges and advances.

Cancer is one of the most common devastating disease affecting millions of people per year worldwide. To fight against cancer, a number of natural plant compounds have been exploited by researchers to discover novel anti-cancer therapeutics with minimum or no side effects and plants have proved their usefulness in anti-cancer therapy in past few years. Ricin, a cytotoxic plant protein isolated from castor bean seeds, is a ribosome-inactivating protein which destroys the cells by inhibiting proteins synthesis. Ricin presents great potential as anti-cancer agent and exerts its anti-cancer activity by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. In this review, we summarize the current information on anti-cancer properties of plant toxin ricin, its potential applications in cancer therapy, challenges associated with its use as therapeutic agent and the recent advances made to overcome these challenges. Nanotechnology could open the doors for quick development of ricin-based anti-cancer therapeutics. Conceivably, ricin may serve as a chemotherapeutic agent against cancer by utilizing nanocarriers for its targeted delivery to cancer cells.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of functionalized phthalimides: a new class of antimalarials and inhibitors of falcipain-2, a major hemoglobinase of malaria parasite.

Phthalimides functionalized with cyclic amines were synthesized, characterized and screened for their in vitro antimalarial efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum (Pf3D7). Of all the listed phthalimides evaluated, 14 and 24 were identified as potent antimalarial agents as advocated by assessment of their ability to inhibit [(3)H] hypoxanthine incorporation in the nucleic acid of parasites. In addition, phthalimides 14 and 24 were incubated for 60 and 90h and an enhanced antimalarial effect was noticed with increase in time to great extent. A reduction in IC50 values was observed with increase in exposure time of the parasite to the compounds. A symmetric phthalimide, 24 possessing piperazine as linker unit was identified as the most potent antimalarial agent with IC50 values of 5.97±0.78, 2.0±1.09 and 1.1±0.75µM on incubation period of 42, 60 and 90h, respectively. The abnormal morphologies such as delay in developmental stages, growth arrest and condensed nuclei of parasite were observed with the aid of microscopic studies upon exposure with 14 and 24. The evaluation of 14 and 24 against chloroquine resistant strain, (Pf7GB) of P. falciparum afforded IC50 values, 13.29±1.20 and 7.21±0.98µM, respectively. The combination of 24 with artemisinin (ART) showed enhanced killing of parasite against Pf3D7. Further, all phthalimides were evaluated for their activity against falcipain-2 (FP2), a major hemoglobinase of malarial parasite. The enzymatic assay afforded 6 as most active member against FP2. To the best of our knowledge this is the initial study represents phthalimide protected amino acids functionalized with cyclic amines as potent antimalarial agents.

Enhanced anti-malarial efficacy of mefloquine delivered via cationic liposome in a murine model of experimental cerebral malaria.

Malaria is a longstanding global health challenge that continues to afflict over 90 countries located in tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. The rise of drug-resistant malarial parasites has curtailed the therapeutic efficacy of a number of once-effective anti-malarials, including mefloquine. In the present study, we have taken advantage of drug encapsulation approach to elevate the anti-malarial potential of mefloquine. Encouragingly, our findings unveil that liposomal formulations of mefloquine outperform equivalent doses of free mefloquine, both in laboratory cultures and in a murine model of malaria. Intriguingly, a cationic liposomal mefloquine formulation, administered at four successive doses of 3 mg/kg body weight, achieves complete resolution of cerebral malaria in the murine model while avoiding noticeable toxic repercussions. Altogether, our study furnishes pre-clinical validation for a therapeutic strategy that can remarkably enhance the drug efficacy, offering a revitalizing solution for failing anti-malarials.

Author Correction: Synergistic blending of high-valued heterocycles inhibits growth of Plasmodium falciparum in culture and P. berghei infection in mouse model.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Fast-Acting Small Molecules Targeting Malarial Aspartyl Proteases, Plasmepsins, Inhibit Malaria Infection at Multiple Life Stages.

The eradication of malaria remains challenging due to the complex life cycle of Plasmodium and the rapid emergence of drug-resistant forms of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. New, effective, and inexpensive antimalarials against multiple life stages of the parasite are urgently needed to combat the spread of malaria. Here, we synthesized a set of novel hydroxyethylamines and investigated their activities in vitro and in vivo. All of the compounds tested had an inhibitory effect on the blood stage of P. falciparum at submicromolar concentrations, with the best showing 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of around 500 nM against drug-resistant P. falciparum parasites. These compounds showed inhibitory actions against plasmepsins, a family of malarial aspartyl proteases, and exhibited a marked killing effect on blood stage Plasmodium. In chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium berghei and P. berghei ANKA infected mouse models, treating mice with both compounds led to a significant decrease in blood parasite load. Importantly, two of the compounds displayed an inhibitory effect on the gametocyte stages (III-V) of P. falciparum in culture and the liver-stage infection of P. berghei both in in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, our findings suggest that fast-acting hydroxyethylamine-phthalimide analogs targeting multiple life stages of the parasite could be a valuable chemical lead for the development of novel antimalarial drugs.

Effect of surface charge and density of distearylphosphatidylethanolamine-mPEG-2000 (DSPE-mPEG-2000) on the cytotoxicity of liposome-entrapped ricin: effect of lysosomotropic agents.

Ricin was encapsulated in various liposomes having neutral, negatively and positively charged and different density of DSPE-mPEG-2000 on the surface and cytotoxicity of ricin entrapped in these different charged liposomal formulations was studied in CHO pro(-) cells and compared with free ricin with a view to develop an optimum delivery system for ricin in vivo. It was observed that the cytotoxicity of ricin entrapped in various charged liposomes was significantly dependent on the charge on the surface of liposomes. The maximum cytotoxicity of ricin was observed when it was delivered through negatively charged liposomes. Monensin enhances the cytotoxicity of ricin entrapped in various charged liposomes and the extent of enhancement of the cytotoxicity is significantly dependent on the charge on the surface of liposomes. Maximum potentiation (213.14-fold) of cytotoxicity of ricin was observed when it was delivered through positively charged liposomes followed by negatively charged (83.36-fold) and neutral (71.30-fold) liposomes, respectively. Studies on the kinetics of inhibition of protein synthesis by ricin entrapped in various charged liposomes revealed that lag period of inhibition of protein synthesis is significantly lengthened following delivery through various charged liposomes. However, in the presence of monensin, the lag period was reduced. There is a marginal variation in the cytotoxicity of ricin entrapped in various charged liposomes after incorporation of 5mol% of DSPE-mPEG-2000 on the surface. However, there is a significant variation in the enhancing potency of monensin on the cytotoxicity of ricin entrapped in various charged liposomes in CHO pro(-) cells following incorporation of 5mol% DSPE-mPEG-2000 on the surface. Studies on the effect of variation of density of DSPE-mPEG-2000 on the surface of various charged liposomes on the enhancement of cytotoxicity of entrapped ricin by monensin in CHO pro(-) cells showed that the enhancing potency of monensin on the cytotoxicity of ricin entrapped in various charged liposomes is significantly dependent on the density of DSPE-mPEG-2000 on their surface. It was also observed that the efficacies of monensin on the enhancement of cytotoxicity of ricin entrapped in various charged PEG-liposomes in CHO pro(-) cells was highly related to their amount of cell-association. The present study has clearly shown that by suitable alteration of liposomal lipid composition, charge and density of hydrophilicity it would be possible to direct liposomal ricin to specific cells for their selective elimination in combination with monensin.

Long circulatory liposomal maduramicin inhibits the growth of Plasmodium falciparum blood stages in culture and cures murine models of experimental malaria.

Malaria continues to be one of the deadliest infectious diseases and a global health menace. The emergence and spread of drug-resistant strains of malaria parasites have further made the process of disease management grimmer. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify promising antimalarial strategies that can target the blood stages as well as block parasite transmission. Maduramicin is one such ionophore selected out of a recent screen of gametocytocidal compounds that exhibit potent antiplasmodial activity. However, maduramicin's strong hydrophobic nature and associated toxicity restrict its application in chemotherapy. To alleviate this problem, we have developed a liposomal formulation loaded with the ionophore maduramicin for the treatment of chloroquine sensitive and resistant Plasmodium infections. Here, we show that maduramicin in PEGylated liposomal formulations displayed enhanced antiplasmodial activity in vitro compared to free maduramicin. Significantly, four consecutive doses of 1.5 mg kg-1 body weight of PEGylated maduramicin loaded lipid vesicles completely cured cerebral and chloroquine resistant murine models of malaria without any obvious toxic effects and suppressed the key inflammatory markers associated with the progression of the disease. PEGylated liposomal maduramicin also exhibited a prolonged plasma clearance rate, implying a greater chance of interaction and uptake by infected RBCs. Furthermore, we also provide evidence that the detrimental effect of liposomal maduramicin on parasite survival is mediated by increased ROS generation and subsequent perturbation of parasite mitochondrial membrane potential. This study presents the first report to demonstrate the potent antimalarial efficacy of maduramicin liposomes, a strategy that holds promise for the development of successful therapeutic intervention against malaria in humans.

Chemotherapeutic Potential of Monensin as an Anti-microbial Agent.

Monensin is a lipid-soluble naturally occurring bioactive ionophore produced by Streptomyces spp. Its antimicrobial activity is mediated by its ability to exchange Na+ and K+ ions across the cell membrane thereby disrupting ionic gradients and altering cellular physiology. It is approved by Food and Drug Administration as a veterinary antibiotic to treat coccidiosis. Besides veterinary applications, monensin exhibits a broad spectrum activity against opportunistic pathogens of humans such as bacteria, virus, fungi and parasites in both drug sensitive and resistant strains. This ionophore can selectively kill pathogens with negligible toxic effect on mammalian cells. In this review, we discuss the therapeutic potential of monensin as a new broad-spectrum anti-microbial agent that warrants further studies for clinical use.

Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis BioA inhibitors by using structure-based virtual screening.

BACKGROUND: 7,8-Diaminopelargonic acid synthase (BioA), an enzyme of biotin biosynthesis pathway, is a well-known promising target for anti-tubercular drug development. METHODS: In this study, structure-based virtual screening was employed against the active site of BioA to identify new chemical entities for BioA inhibition and top ranking compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit BioA enzymatic activity. RESULTS: Seven compounds inhibited BioA enzymatic activity by greater than 60% at 100 µg/mL with most potent compounds being A36, A35 and A65, displaying IC50 values of 10.48 µg/mL (28.94 µM), 33.36 µg/mL (88.16 µM) and 39.17 µg/mL (114.42 µM), respectively. Compounds A65 and A35 inhibited Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) growth with MIC90 of 20 µg/mL and 80 µg/mL, respectively, whereas compound A36 exhibited relatively weak inhibition of M. tuberculosis growth (83% inhibition at 200 µg/mL). Compound A65 emerged as the most potent compound identified in our study that inhibited BioA enzymatic activity and growth of the pathogen and possessed drug-like properties. CONCLUSION: Our study has identified a few hit molecules against M. tuberculosis BioA that can act as potential candidates for further development of potent anti-tubercular therapeutic agents.

Enhanced efficacy of anti-miR-191 delivery through stearylamine liposome formulation for the treatment of breast cancer cells.

MicroRNAs are gaining rapid attention as promising targets for cancer treatment; however, efficient delivery of therapeutic miRNA or anti-miRNA into cancer cells remains a major challenge. Our previous work identified miR-191 as an oncogenic miRNA overexpressed in breast cancer that assists in progression of malignant transformation. Thus, inhibition of miR-191 using antisense miR-191 (anti-miR-191) has immense therapeutic potential. Here, we have developed a stearylamine (SA) based cationic liposome for delivery of miR-191 inhibitor (anti-miR-191), and studied its efficacy in breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and ZR-75-1) in culture. SA liposomes alone inhibited cancer cell growth with lesser IC50s (50% inhibitory concentration) values as compared to normal mouse fibroblast cells (L929). The efficient delivery of anti-miR-191 in SA liposome complex was found to be highly effective in killing the cancer cells than a comparable dose of SA free anti-miR-191 liposome complex. The formulation also showed negligible cytotoxicity in human erythrocytes. Combined treatment of SA liposome with anti-miR-191 markedly enhanced apoptotic cell death and suppressed the migration of cancer cells in vitro. Notably, anti-miR-191 loaded SA liposome complex increased chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells to currently used anti-cancer drugs (doxorubicin or cisplatin) in free form. Our work demonstrates that anti-miR-191 loaded in SA liposome complex has promising clinical application for breast cancer therapy.

Synergistic blending of high-valued heterocycles inhibits growth of Plasmodium falciparum in culture and P. berghei infection in mouse model.

A series of phthalimide analogues, novelized with high-valued bioactive scaffolds was synthesized by means of click-chemistry under non-conventional microwave heating and evaluated as noteworthy growth inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 and W2) in culture. Analogues 6a, 6h and 6 u showed highest activity to inhibit the growth of the parasite with IC50 values in submicromolar range. Structure-activity correlation indicated the necessity of unsubstituted triazoles and leucine linker to obtain maximal growth inhibition of the parasite. Notably, phthalimide 6a and 6u selectively inhibited the ring-stage growth and parasite maturation. On other hand, phthalimide 6h displayed selective schizonticidal activity. Besides, they displayed synergistic interactions with chloroquine and dihydroartemisinin against parasite. Additional in vivo experiments using P. berghei infected mice showed that administration of 6h and 6u alone, as well as in combination with dihydroartemisinin, substantially reduced the parasite load. The high antimalarial activity of 6h and 6u, coupled with low toxicity advocate their potential role as novel antimalarial agents, either as standalone or combination therapies.

Hydroxyethylamine Based Phthalimides as New Class of Plasmepsin Hits: Design, Synthesis and Antimalarial Evaluation.

A novel class of phthalimides functionalized with privileged scaffolds was designed, synthesized and evaluated as potential inhibitors of plasmepsin 2 (Ki: 0.99 ± 0.1 µM for 6u) and plasmepsin 4 (Ki: 3.3 ± 0.3 µM for 6t), enzymes found in the digestive vacuole of the plasmodium parasite and considered as crucial drug targets. Three compounds were identified as potential candidates for further development. The listed compounds were also assayed for their antimalarial efficacy against chloroquine (CQ) sensitive strain (3D7) of Plasmodium falciparum. Assay of twenty seven hydroxyethylamine derivatives revealed four (5e, 6j, 6o and 6s) as strongly active, which were further evaluated against CQ resistant strain (7GB) of P. falciparum. Compound 5e possessing the piperidinopiperidine moiety exhibited promising antimalarial activity with an IC50 of 1.16 ± 0.04 µM. Further, compounds 5e, 6j, 6o and 6s exhibited low cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cell line. Compound 6s possessing C2 symmetry was identified as the least cytotoxic with significant antimalarial activity (IC50: 1.30 ± 0.03 µM). The combined presence of hydroxyethylamine and cyclic amines (piperazines and piperidines) was observed as crucial for the activity. The current studies suggest that hydroxyethylamine based molecules act as potent antimalarial agent and may be helpful in drug development.

Assessment of anti-plasmodial activity of non-hemolytic, non-immunogenic, non-toxic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs LR14) produced by Lactobacillus plantarum LR/14.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lactobacillus plantarum strains are known to exhibit an antimicrobial property against bacteria and fungi. In the present investigation, AMPs LR14, antimicrobial peptides produced by L. plantarum strain LR/14, were tested against a protozoan system, Plasmodium falciparum and its non-toxic nature was envisaged on a mammalian system. METHODS: Human erythrocytes infected with chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant strains of P. falciparum were treated with purified AMPs LR14. The loss in cell viability was assessed by monitoring the incorporation of [(3)H]-hypoxanthine in the nucleic acid of the parasite. The hemolytic activity of AMPs LR14 was monitored at different concentrations and the investigations into the in vivo toxicity of AMPs LR14 were carried out on a mammalian system (Wistar rat). The level of toxicity in the tissues was visualized by histopathological studies conducted on the liver and kidney of the test and control rats. A study was also undertaken to see the production of antibodies in an animal (rabbit) after it was immunized with AMPs LR14. RESULTS: A loss in cell viability was observed in both test strains of P. falciparum. However, the dose required for inhibition of the chloroquine-resistant strain was ~2 times the dose required for the chloroquine-sensitive strain. At these concentrations, no hemolysis of human erythrocytes was observed. The studies conducted on in vivo toxicity of AMPs LR14 suggest that the lethal dose (LD50) is beyond 1,000 mg/kg body weight, suggesting its safe use against microbes and protozoans. Antibodies were also not detected against these peptides, indicating a non-immunogenic nature. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that AMPs LR14 are non-toxic, potent anti-plasmodial peptides causing growth inhibition of P. falciparum without causing hemolysis. These results pave the way for the development of bioactive peptides as therapeutics.

Cellular iron homeostasis and therapeutic implications of iron chelators in cancer.

Iron metabolism and homeostasis are imperative for the maintenance of normal physiological activities due to the element's critical involvement in a wide variety of crucial biological processes like cellular respiration, metabolic pathways, DNA replication, repair, detoxification, neurotransmission and cellular signaling. Being a key contributor of crucial machineries regulating cellular proliferation and survival, it facilitates the process of tumor growth and development. Thus, tumor cells strive to acquire higher amount of iron than non-malignant cells to satisfy their elevated rate of metabolism. Perhaps, not surprisingly chelation of this metal ion was thought to be effective in treating cancer, but due to a variety of side effects, the use of iron chelators was clinically insignificant. However, discovery of various new classes of iron chelators with lesser side effects and selective toxicity towards cancer cells has revived the possibilities of using iron chelators in anti-cancer therapy. In this review, we have discussed the role of iron in promoting malignant mechanisms and the prospects of usage of different classes of iron chelators in cancer therapeutics.

Purification and characterization of a novel and robust L-asparaginase having low-glutaminase activity from Bacillus licheniformis: in vitro evaluation of anti-cancerous properties.

L-asparaginase having low glutaminase has been a key therapeutic agent in the treatment of acute lymphpoblastic leukemia (A.L.L). In the present study, an extracellular L-asparaginase with low glutaminase activity, produced by Bacillus licheniformis was purified to homogeneity. Protein was found to be a homotetramer of 134.8 KDa with monomeric size of 33.7 KDa and very specific for its natural substrate i.e. L-asparagine. The activity of purified L-asparaginase enhanced in presence of cations including Na+ and K+, whereas it was moderately inhibited in the presence of divalent cations and thiol group blocking reagents. The purified enzyme was maximally active over the range of pH 6.0 to 10.0 and temperature of 40°C and enzyme was stable maximum at pH 9.0 and -20°C. CD spectra of L-asparaginase predicted the enzyme to consist of 63.05% α-helix and 3.29% ß-sheets in its native form with T222 of 58°C. Fluorescent spectroscopy showed the protein to be stable even in the presence of more than 3 M GdHCl. Kinetic parameters Km, Vmax and kcat of purified enzyme were found as 1.4×10(-5) M, 4.03 IU and 2.68×10(3) s(-1), respectively. The purified L-asparaginase had cytotoxic activity against various cancerous cell lines viz. Jurkat clone E6-1, MCF-7 and K-562 with IC50 of 0.22 IU, 0.78 IU and 0.153 IU respectively. However the enzyme had no toxic effect on human erythrocytes and CHO cell lines hence should be considered potential candidate for further pharmaceutical use as an anticancer drug.

Cell mediated immune response after challenge in Omp25 liposome immunized mice contributes to protection against virulent Brucella abortus 544.

Brucellosis is a disease affecting various domestic and wild life species, and is caused by a bacterium Brucella. Keeping in view the serious economic and medical consequences of brucellosis, efforts have been made to prevent the infection through the use of vaccines. Cell-mediated immune responses [CMI] involving interferon gamma and cytotoxic CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells are required for removal of intracellular Brucella. Omp25 has been reported to be involved in virulence of Brucella melitensis, Brucella abortus and Brucella ovis. In our previous study, we have shown the protective efficacy of recombinant Omp25, when administered intradermally. In this study, the recombinant Omp25 was formulated in PC-PE liposomes and PLGA microparticles, to enhance the protective immunity generated by it. Significant protection was seen with prime and booster liposome immunization in Balb/c mice against virulent B. abortus 544 as it was comparable to B. abortus S-19 vaccine strain. However, microparticle prime and booster immunization failed to give better protection when compared to B. abortus S-19 vaccine strain. This difference can be attributed to the stimulation of cell mediated immune response in PC-PE liposome immunized mice even after challenge which converted to cytotoxicity seen in CD4(+) and CD8(+) enriched lymphocytes. However, in PLGA microparticle immunized mice, cell mediated immunity was not generated after challenge as observed by decreased cytotoxicity of CD4(+) and CD8(+) enriched lymphocytes. Our study emphasizes on the importance of liposome encapsulating Omp25 immunization in conferring protection against B. abortus 544 challenge in Balb/c mice with a single dose immunization regimen.