Plant Milking Technology-An Innovative and Sustainable Process to Produce Highly Active Extracts from Plant Roots.

We have used an original technology (Plant Milking Technology) based on aeroponic cultivation of plants associated with the gentle recovery of active ingredients from roots. Extraction of bioactive molecules was achieved by soaking the roots, still attached to the living plants, into a nontoxic solvent for a 2 h period. This nondestructive recovery process allows using the same root biomass for successive harvesting dates, in a recyclable way. We have applied this technology to Morus alba L. (mulberry tree), an emblematic tree of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Trees were aeroponically grown in large-scale devices (100 m2) and were submitted to nitrogen deprivation to increase the content in active molecules (prenylated flavonoids). The Plant Milking technology applied to Morus alba L. allowed to produce an extract enriched in prenylated compounds (18-fold increase when compared to commercial root extract). Prenylated flavonoids (moracenin A and B, kuwanon C, wittiorumin F, morusin) presented a high affinity for the aged-associated collagenase enzyme, which was confirmed by activity inhibition. In accordance, M. alba extract presents efficient properties to regulate the skin matrisome, which is critical during skin aging. The benefits have been especially confirmed in vivo on wrinkle reduction, in a clinical study that involved aged women. Plant Milking technology is an optimal solution to produce active ingredients from plant roots, including trees, that meet both customer expectations around sustainability, as well as the need for an efficient production system for biotechnologists.

A New Class of Bi- and Trifunctional Sugar Oximes as Antidotes against Organophosphorus Poisoning.

Recent events demonstrated that organophosphorus nerve agents are a serious threat for civilian and military populations. The current therapy includes a pyridinium aldoxime reactivator to restore the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase located in the central nervous system and neuro-muscular junctions. One major drawback of these charged acetylcholinesterase reactivators is their poor ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In this study, we propose to evaluate glucoconjugated oximes devoid of permanent charge as potential central nervous system reactivators. We determined their in vitro reactivation efficacy on inhibited human acetylcholinesterase, the crystal structure of two compounds in complex with the enzyme, their protective index on intoxicated mice, and their pharmacokinetics. We then evaluated their endothelial permeability coefficients with a human in vitro model. This study shed light on the structural restrains of new sugar oximes designed to reach the central nervous system through the glucose transporter located at the blood-brain barrier.

Rational Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 7-Azaindole Derivatives as Potent Focused Multi-Targeted Kinase Inhibitors.

Efforts were made to improve a series of potent dual ABL/SRC inhibitors based on a 7-azaindole core with the aim of developing compounds that demonstrate a wider activity on selected oncogenic kinases. Multi-targeted kinase inhibitors (MTKIs) were then derived, focusing on kinases involved in both angiogenesis and tumorigenesis processes. Antiproliferative activity studies using different cellular models led to the discovery of a lead candidate (6z) that combined both antiangiogenic and antitumoral effects. The activity of 6z was assessed against a panel of kinases and cell lines including solid cancers and leukemia cell models to explore its potential therapeutic applications. With its potency and selectivity for oncogenic kinases, 6z was revealed to be a focused MTKI that should have a bright future in fighting a wide range of cancers.

Axl kinase as a key target for oncology: focus on small molecule inhibitors.

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are transmembrane receptors that regulate signal transduction in cells. As a member of the TAM (Tyro-3, Axl, Mer) RTK subfamily, Axl regulates key processes such as cell growth, migration, aggregation, and apoptosis through several pathways. Its overexpression/overactivation has been underlined in several conditions, especially cancers, and in both chemotherapy and targeted therapy sensitivity loss. In this review, we propose to highlight the therapeutic implication of Axl, starting with the pathways it regulates, validating its interest as a therapeutic target, and defining the tools available to develop strategies for its inhibition. We especially focus on small molecule inhibitors, their structure, inhibition profile, and development stages.