In silico-prediction of chloroquine as a multi-targeted drug against CDKN2A signaling network associated with cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Melanoma is one of the most common skin infections, has triggered significant morbidity and mortality across the globe. Previous studies have reported that mutations in CDKN2A signalling network is associated with cutaneous malignant melanoma. In the present study, initially, the BioGrid database was utilized, and then hierarchical clustering was performed to identify the CDKN2A signature pathways. In addition, a GO Enrichment analysis was investigated using DAVID (n=187 genes) toolkit. Subsequently, the cBioPortal cancer genomic platform was exploited using alteration ranked frequency to determine the role of the CDKN2A signaling network in 363 samples of cutaneous malignant melanoma patients and we find that CDKN2A and its close interactors PTEN and HUWE1 show highest mutations. Further, we systematically employed molecular docking approach via MOE to target PTEN, CDKN2A and HUWE1 with chloroquine which is naturally occurring in medicinal plant Nigella sativa (NS) and observed virtuous interactions between all receptors and ligand molecules with a binding energy of -11.379, -10.324 and -9.06 Kcal/mol, respectively. The outcomes obtained stipulate a vigorous research resource for using chloroquine as a multitargeted anticancer drug. This novel evidence should help the development of effective therapeutic compounds for the treatment of cancer. Our results reveal that chloroquine is a relevant and novel potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of melanoma.

Targeting androgen receptor signaling with MicroRNAs and Curcumin: a promising therapeutic approach for Prostate Cancer Prevention and intervention.

Prostate cancer (PC) is a multifactorial disease characterized by the abrogation of androgen receptor signaling. Advancement in microbiology techniques has highlighted the significant role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the progression of PC cells from an androgen-dependent to an androgen-independent state. At that stage, prostate tumors also fail to respond to currently practiced hormone therapies. So, studies in recent decades are focused on investigating the anti-tumor effects of natural compounds in PC. Curcumin is widely recognized and now of huge prestige for its anti-proliferative abilities in different types of cancer. However, its limited solubility, compatibility, and instability in the aqueous phase are major hurdles when administering. Nanoformulations have proven to be an excellent drug delivery system for various drugs and can be used as potential delivery platforms for curcumin in PC. In this review, a shed light is given on the miRNAs-mediated regulation of androgen receptor (AR) signaling and miRNA-curcumin interplay in PC, as well as on curcumin-based nanoformulations that can be used as possible therapeutic solutions for PC.

Comprehensive facts on dynamic antimicrobial properties of polysaccharides and biomolecules-silver nanoparticle conjugate.

Based on progress for the green synthesis of nanoparticle (NPs), the mushrooms have also been utilized extensively for the biogenic synthesis of NPs. In recent years, silver NPs have been fabricated using mushrooms. The antimicrobial drugs are efficient to control the infectious diseases, but due to widespread of drugs, microbes became resistant to drugs, which demands develop of new bioactive agents. The silver NPs have been recognized as efficient broad spectrum antimicrobial agents, which have been fabricated using polysaccharides from mushrooms as reducing and capping agent. This review focused on the comprehensive study that deals silver NPs polysaccharides from Pleurotus mushroom, their synthesis mechanism, action mechanism of silver NPs and their characterization using advanced techniques i.e., ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), dynamic light scattering, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and XRD. The Pleurotus mushroom showed promising efficiency for the biogenic synthesis of polysaccharides­silver NPS and as-prepared NPs showed excellent antimicrobial activity.

Nanotechnology-Based Strategies for Berberine Delivery System in Cancer Treatment: Pulling Strings to Keep Berberine in Power.

Cancer is a multifactorial disease characterized by complex molecular landscape and altered cell pathways that results in an abnormal cell growth. Natural compounds are target-specific and pose a limited cytotoxicity; therefore, can aid in the development of new therapeutic interventions for the treatment of this versatile disease. Berberine is a member of the protoberberine alkaloids family, mainly present in the root, stem, and bark of various trees, and has a reputed anticancer activity. Nonetheless, the limited bioavailability and low absorption rate are the two major hindrances following berberine administration as only 0.5% of ingested berberine absorbed in small intestine while this percentage is further decreased to 0.35%, when enter in systemic circulation. Nano-based formulation is believed to be an ideal candidate to increase absorption percentage as at nano scale level, compounds can absorb rapidly in gut. Nanotechnology-based therapeutic approaches have been implemented to overcome such problems, ultimately promoting a higher efficacy in the treatment of a plethora of diseases. This review present and critically discusses the anti-proliferative role of berberine and the nanotechnology-based therapeutic strategies used for the nano-scale delivery of berberine. Finally, the current approaches and promising perspectives of latest delivery of this alkaloid are also critically analyzed and discussed.

In vitro Studies on Cytotoxic, DNA Protecting, Antibiofilm and Antibacterial Effects of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Prepared with Bergenia ciliata Rhizome Extract.

BACKGROUND: Many health hazardous diseases are caused by clinical pathogens. Drugresistant microbes are one of the major health problems in the world. To overcome the effect of infectious diseases new antimicrobial agent from nature has been explored which is environmentally friendly, less costly and more effective for the development of next-generation drugs. Bergenia ciliata and silver nitrate both have medicinal properties. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current research was to evaluate the cytotoxic, and antibacterial effect of green synthesized nanoparticles using Bergenia ciliata rhizome against clinical bacterial pathogens. METHODS: Extract of Bergenia ciliata was prepared by maceration technique. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Bergenia ciliata rhizome extract. Synthesized silver nanoparticles were confirmed by UV-vis spectrophotometer, Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The antibacterial, anti-biofilm, cell proliferation inhibition, DNA protection, brine shrimp lethality effects of synthesized nanoparticles were investigated. RESULTS: UV-vis spectrophotometer indicated the prelaminar synthesis of silver nanoparticles at 400 nm. The spherical shape of synthesized nanoparticles with 35 nm size was confirmed using SEM. Greatest zone of inhibition (6.0 ± 0.0 mm to 8.3 ± 0.57 mm) was recorded against all tested pathogens compared with the B. ciliata aqueous extract. Anti-biofilm analysis and MTT assay supported the results of the antibacterial activity. Silver nanoparticles protect the DNA degradation. CONCLUSION: Green synthesized nanoparticles had potent antibacterial activity and may provide a basis for the development of the new antibacterial drug.