An in-vitro evaluation of antifungal, anti-lungcancer (A549), and anti-hyperglycemic activities potential of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) flower extract.

The medical plant research has received more attention among researchers especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. This research performed to evaluate the antifungal, anti-lung cancer (A549), and anti-hyperglycemic activities of aqueous extract of Andrographis paniculata flower. Interestingly, A. paniculata flower aqueous extract contains pharmaceutically valuable phytochemicals such as alkaloid, phenolics, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, and protein. It also showed fine antifungal activity against test fungal pathogens in the following order as: Aspergillus niger > Fusarium solani > Trichoderma harzianum > A. parasiticus > P. expansum > Penicillium janthinellum with lowest MIC values as ranged from 100 to 300 µg mL-1. Interestingly, this aqueous extract also showed considerable anti-lung cancer activity, evidenced by dose and time dependent lung cancer cell line (A549) growth/proliferation inhibition/cytotoxicity activity (65%) at 300 µg mL-1 concentration. This can be achieved by plant extract through inducing the secretion of apoptosis related proteins such as TNF α, IFN-γ, and interleukin 2 leads to apoptosis in A549 cells. It also showed fine anti-diabetic activity by inhibiting α -amylase (58.41%) than α-glucosidase (54.74%) at 200 µg mL-1 concentration. The UV as well as FTIR results demonstrated that the aqueous extract of A. paniculata flower contains pharmaceutically valuable bioactive compounds, which may be responsible for the wide range of biomedical applications.

Using cfDNA and ctDNA as Oncologic Markers: A Path to Clinical Validation.

The detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in liquid biopsy samples as an oncological marker is being used in clinical trials at every step of clinical management. As ctDNA-based liquid biopsy kits are developed and used in clinics, companies work towards increased convenience, accuracy, and cost over solid biopsies and other oncological markers. The technology used to differentiate ctDNA and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) continues to improve with new tests and methodologies being able to detect down to mutant allele frequencies of 0.001% or 1/100,000 copies. Recognizing this development in technology, the FDA has recently given pre-market approval and breakthrough device designations to multiple companies. The purpose of this review is to look at the utility of measuring total cfDNA, techniques used to differentiate ctDNA from cfDNA, and the utility of different ctDNA-based liquid biopsy kits using relevant articles from PubMed, clinicaltrials.gov, FDA approvals, and company newsletters. Measuring total cfDNA could be a cost-effective, viable prognostic marker, but various factors do not favor it as a monitoring tool during chemotherapy. While there may be a place in the clinic for measuring total cfDNA in the future, the lack of standardization means that it is difficult to move forward with large-scale clinical validation studies currently. While the detection of ctDNA has promising standardized liquid biopsy kits from various companies with large clinical trials ongoing, their applications in screening and minimal residual disease can suffer from lower sensitivity. However, researchers are working towards solutions to these issues with innovations in technology, multi-omics, and sampling. With great promise, further research is needed before liquid biopsies can be recommended for everyday clinical management.

Evaluation of the anti-diabetic effect of biogenic silver nanoparticles and intervention in PPARγ gene regulation.

The current study demonstrated a green, friendly, low-cost biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Kigelia africana leaves (Lam.) Benth. extract (KAE) as both a major capping and reducing agent. The produced AgNPs were characterized using a variety of analytical methods, like the X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), HRTEM, Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The formation of AgNPs with maximum absorbance at max = 435 nm was endorsed by surface plasmon resonance. FTIR analysis revealed that biological macromolecules of KAE were involved in the stabilization and synthesis of AgNPs. At the same time, HRTEM images revealed that the average particle size of the spherical AgNPs ranged from about 25 nm to 35 nm. Further, cytotoxicity assessment of AgNPs was done using the RINm5F insulinoma cell line with an MTT assay. Followed by, the RINm5F insulinoma cells treated with AgNPs and KAE, the expression of the Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) gene was accessed. The results showed gene expression was upregulated in the RINm5F insulinoma cell line thus confirming AgNPs and KAE anti-diabetic efficacy. Furthermore, the findings show that nanotechnology has enhanced the effectiveness of current methodologies in gene expression and regulation which has contributed to the emergence of different forms of advanced regulatory systems.