Targeting VEGFR2 protein by marine Streptomyces globosus VITLGK011-derived compound BECA: An in vitro and in silico analysis.

This study investigates the anticancer cytotoxic mechanism of action of benzoyloxy-ethyl-carbamic acid (BECA) produced by Streptomyces globosus VITLGK011. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that BECA (at IC50 : 3.12 µg/ml) treatment for 24 h induced apoptosis in 60% of cells. Schrodinger Maestro tools such as QikProp and DFT were used to confirm that BECA is an eligible drug-like molecule, with suitable physiochemical properties. Glide XP tool was used to perform induced-fit docking between BECA and 30 cancer drug target proteins. The highest significance was observed for VEGFR2 protein (-6.7 kcal/mol). GROMACS tool was used to perform molecular dynamic simulation between BECA and VEGFR2 protein for 40 ns. Root mean square deviation, root mean square fluctuation, H-bond, and trajectory analysis, confirmed that BECA is a suitable inhibitor of VEGFR2 protein. Results conclude that BECA is a valid VEGFR2 inhibitor, and it thus exerts the observed anticancer cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using a cheap Sphaeranthus indicus extract: Impact on plant cells and the aquatic crustacean Artemia nauplii.

The impact of green-fabricated gold nanoparticles on plant cells and non-target aquatic species is scarcely studied. In this research, we reported an environment friendly technique for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using the Sphaeranthus indicus leaf extract. The formation of the metal NPs was characterized by UV-Visible and FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM and TEM analyses. The UV-Visible spectra of Au NPs showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 531nm. FT-IR analysis indicated functional bio-molecules associated with Au NPs formation. The crystalline nature of Au nanoparticles was confirmed by their XRD diffraction pattern. TEM revealed the spherical shape with a mean particle size of 25nm. Au NPs was tested at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10% doses in mitotic cell division assays, pollen germination experiments, and in vivo toxicity trials against the aquatic crustacean Artemia nauplii. Au NPs did not show any toxic effects on plant cells and aquatic invertebrates. Notably, Au NPs promoted mitotic cell division in Allium cepa root tip cells and germination of Gloriosa superba pollen grains. Au NPs showed no mortality on A. nauplii, all the tested animals showed 100% survivability. Therefore, these Au NPs have potential applications in the development of pollen germination media and plant tissue culture.