Unveiling the pharmacological potential of plant triterpenoids in breast cancer management: an updated review.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer, the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women globally. Recent research has provided increasing support for the significance of phytochemicals, both dietary and non-dietary, particularly triterpenoids, in the mitigation and management of breast cancer. Recent studies showed that triterpenoids are promising agents in the treatment and inhibition of breast cancer achieved through the implementation of several molecular modes of action on breast cancer cells. This review discusses recent innovations in plant triterpenoids and their underlying mechanisms of action in combating breast cancer within the timeframe spanning from 2017 to 2023. The present work is an overview of different plant triterpenoids with significant inhibition on proliferation, migration, apoptosis resistance, tumor angiogenesis, or metastasis in various breast cancer cells. The anticancer impact of triterpenoids may be attributed to their antiproliferative activity interfering with angiogenesis and differentiation, regulation of apoptosis, DNA polymerase inhibition, change in signal transductions, and impeding metastasis. The present review focuses on several targets, mechanisms, and pathways associated with pentacyclic triterpenoids, which are responsible for their anticancer effects. We could conclude that natural triterpenoids are considered promising agents to conquer breast cancer.

The potential role of Hypericum perforatum in wound healing: A literature review on the phytochemicals, pharmacological approaches, and mechanistic perspectives.

St. John's Wort, commonly known as Hypericum perforatum L., is a flowering plant in the Clusiaceae family that traditionally been employed for treating anxiety, depression, wounds, burns, sunburn, irritation, and stomach ailments. This review provides a synopsis of H. perforatum L. phytoconstituents and their biological effects, highlighting its beneficial therapeutic properties for dermatological indications, as well as its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic activity in various applications including wound healing and skin conditions such as eczema, sun burn and minor burns also spastic paralysis, stiff neck and mood disorders as anti-depressant and nerve pains such as neuralgia. The data were collected from several databases as Web of Science PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar using the terms: "H. perforatum L.", "H. perforatum L. /phytochemistry," and "H. perforatum extracts/wound healing" collected from 1994 to 2023. The findings suggest H. perforatum L. acts through various mechanisms and plays a role in each phase of the wound healing process, including re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, wound contraction, and connective tissue regeneration. H. perforatum L. enhances collagen deposition, decreases inflammation, inhibits fibroblast migration, and promotes epithelialization by increasing the number of fibroblasts with polygonal shape and the number of collagen fibers within fibroblasts. H. Perforatum L. extracts modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation were found to accelerate the wound healing process via inhibition of inflammatory mediators' production like interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Thus, H. perforatum L. represents a potential remedy for a wide range of dermatological problems, owing to its constituents with beneficial therapeutic properties. H. perforatum L. could be utilized in the development of novel wound healing therapies.

Gigantol, a promising natural drug for inflammation: a literature review and computational based study.

Gigantol, a bibenzyl compound extracted from various medicinal plants, has shown a number of biological activities, making it an attractive candidate for potential medical applications. This systematic review aims to shed light on gigantol's promising role in inflammation treatment and its underlying mechanisms. Gigantol exhibits potential anti-inflammatory properties in pre-clinical pharmacological test systems. It effectively reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory markers and arachidonic acid metabolites through various pathways, such as NF-κB, AKT, PI3K, and JNK/cPLA2/12-LOX. The in-silico investigations demonstrated that the MMP-13 enzyme served as the most promising target for gigantol with highest binding affinity (docking score = -8.8 kcal/mol). Encouragingly, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analysis of gigantol confirmed its compatibility with the necessary physiochemical, pharmacokinetic, and toxicity properties, bolstering its potential as a drug candidate. Gigantol, with its well-documented anti-inflammatory properties, could be a promising agent for treating inflammation in the near future.

HPLC-ESI/MS-MS metabolic profiling of white pitaya fruit and cytotoxic potential against cervical cancer: Comparative studies, synergistic effects, and molecular mechanistic approaches.

Natural approach became a high demand for the prevention and treatment of such diseases for their proven safety and efficacy. This study is aimed to perform comparative phytochemical analysis of white pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) peel, pulp and seed extracts via determination of total flavonoid content, phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity, coupled with HPLC-ESI/MS-MS analysis. Further, we evaluated the synergistic cytotoxic potential with Cisplatin against cervical cancer cells with investigation of underlying mechanism. The highest content of phenolics and antioxidants were found in both seed and peel extracts. The HPLC-ESI/MS-MS revealed identification of flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanin glycosides, lignans, stilbenes, and coumarins. The cytotoxicity effects were evaluated by MTT assay against prostate, breast and cervical (HeLa) and Vero cell lines. The seed and peel extracts showed remarkable cytotoxic effect against all tested cell lines. Moreover, the selectivity index confirmed high selectivity of pitaya extracts to cancer cells and safety on normal cells. The combined therapy with Cisplatin effectively enhanced its efficacy and optimized the treatment outcomes, through the apoptotic ability of pitaya extracts in HeLa cells, as evaluated by flow cytometry. Besides, RT-PCR and western blotting analysis showed downregulation of Bcl-2 and overexpression of P53, BAX among HeLa cells treated with pitaya extracts, which eventually activated apoptosis process. Thus, pitaya extract could be used as adjuvant therapy with cisplatin for treatment of cervical cancer. Furthermore, in-vivo extensive studies on the seed and peel extracts, and their compounds are recommended to gain more clarification about the required dose, and side effects.

Phytochemical analysis and biological investigation of Cheilanthes tenuifolia (Burm.f.) Swartz.

Introduction: Cheilanthes tenuifolia is an evergreen ornamental small fern, belonging to the family Pteridaceae, that grows in warm and rocky regions worldwide. Many species of Cheilanthes genus are evidently endowed with important phytochemicals and bioactivities. This study aimed to perform a preliminary phytochemical analysis of Cheilanthes tenuifolia leaves alongside an evaluation of free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and clot lysis activities of extract fractions. Materials and methods: A preliminary phytochemical analysis was done after fractionation of ethanolic extract (ECT) with n-hexane (HCT) and chloroform (CCT). Then, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, egg albumin and RBC membrane stabilization tests, disc diffusion, and human blood clot lysis assays were performed. Results: Phytochemical investigations suggested that the plant is rich in alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, and flavonoids. All obtained fractions exhibited concentration-dependent radical scavenging, inhibition of egg protein denaturation and RBC membrane lysis capacities. Except for antifungal tests, ECT exhibited better DPPH radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and clot lysis capacities than HCT and CCT fractions. However, all fractions exhibited a mild anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: C. tenuifolia might be a good source of antioxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-atherothrombotic agents. Further studies are required to isolate and characterize the active principles liable for each bioactivity, along with possible molecular interactions.

Comparison of autoclaving and γ-radiation impact on four spices aroma profiles and microbial load using HS-SPME GC-MS and chemometric tools.

Herbal spices are widely consumed as food additives owing to their distinct aroma and taste as well as a myriad of economic and health value. The aroma profile of four major spices including bay leaf, black pepper, capsicum, and fennel was tested using HS-SPME/GC-MS and in response to the most widely used spices´ processing methods including autoclaving and γ-radiation at low and high doses. Additionally, the impact of processing on microbial contamination of spices was tested using total aerobic count. GC-MS analysis led to the identification of 22 volatiles in bay leaf, 34 in black pepper, 23 in capsicum, and 24 in fennel. All the identified volatiles belonged to oxides/phenols/ethers, esters, ketones, alcohols, sesquiterpene and monoterpene hydrocarbons. Oxides/phenol/ethers were detected at high levels in all tested spices at ca. 44, 28.2, 48.8, 61.1%, in bay leaves, black pepper, capsicum, and fennel, respectively of the total blend and signifying their typical use as spices. Total oxides/phenol/ethers showed an increase in bay leaf upon exposure to γ-radiation from 44 to 47.5%, while monoterpene hydrocarbons were enriched in black pepper upon autoclaving from 11.4 in control to reach 65.9 and 82.6% for high dose and low dose of autoclaving, respectively. Cineole was detected in bay leaf at 17.9% and upon exposure to autoclaving at high dose and γ-radiation (both doses) its level increased by 29-31%. Both autoclaving and γ-radiation distinctly affected aroma profiles in examined spices. Further, volatile variations in response to processing were assessed using multivariate data analysis (MVA) revealing distinct separation between autoclaved and γ-radiated samples compared to control. Both autoclaving at 115 °C for 15 min and radiation at 10 kGy eliminated detected bioburden in all tested spices i.e., reduced the microbial counts below the detection limit (< 10 cfu/g).

Longevity Spinach (Gynura procumbens) Ameliorated Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Mediators in Cisplatin-Induced Organ Dysfunction in Rats: Comprehensive in†vivo and in silico Studies.

This study focused to assess the efficacy of Gynura procumbens (GP) leaf extract against cisplatin (CP)-induced hepatorenal complications in Wister albino rats. Additionally, it aims to detect polyphenolic compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). The rats were treated intraperitoneally with CP (7.5 mg/kg) to mediate hepatorenal damage. They were then treated with GP extract (75 and 150 mg/kg, P.O.) for 7 consecutive days. Although GP extract significantly ameliorated CP-mediated hepatorenal biomarkers like alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels in a dose-dependent manner, GP extract at 150 mg/kg dose normalized hepatorenal biomarkers ALP (45.11 U/L), ALT (34 U/L), AST (29 U/L), creatinine (10.3 mg/dl) and BUN (11.19 mg/dl) while comparing to control and disease group. Similarly, though it significantly reduced CP-induced oxidative stress inducers, including nitric oxide (NO) and advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP), higher dose (150 mg/kg) exhibited better activity in reducing NO (281.54 mmol/gm tissue in liver and 52.73 mmol/gm tissue in the kidney) and AOPP (770.95 mmol/mg protein in liver and 651.90 mmol/mg protein in the kidney). Besides, it showed better enhancement in the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, and glutathione levels at a higher dose (150 mg/kg). Histopathological studies showed that CP caused collagen accumulation in the liver and kidney tissues. GP extract drained the collagen mass and acted against hepatorenal damage. Ellagic acid, gallic acid, quercetin hydrate, kaempferol, and rutin hydrate were revealed in GP extract. In-silico modelling showed good docking scores of the polyphenolic compounds with molecular targets including CYP4502E1, NF-κB, caspase-3, and TNF-α. GP could be an effective therapeutic option for management of anticancer drugs' complications like CP-induced organ damage, although clinical studies are required to establish herbal formulation.

Quercetin increases the antidepressant-like effects of sclareol and antagonizes diazepam in thiopental sodium-induced sleeping mice: A possible GABAergic transmission intervention.

Quercetin is the most common polyphenolic flavonoid present in fruits and vegetables demonstrating versatile health-promoting effects. This study aimed to examine the effects of quercetin (QR) and sclareol (SCL) on the thiopental sodium (TS)-induced sleeping and forced swimming test (FST) mouse models. SCL (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) or QR (50 mg/kg, p.o.) and/or diazepam (DZP) (3 mg/kg, i.p.) were employed. After 30 min of TS induction, individual or combined effects on the animals were checked. In the FST test, the animals were subjected to forced swimming after 30 min of administration of the test and/or controls for 5 min. In this case, immobility time was measured. In silico studies were conducted to evaluate the involvement of GABA receptors. SCL (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly increased the latency and decreased sleeping time compared to the control in the TS-induced sleeping time study. DZP (3 mg/kg) showed a sedative-like effect in animals in both sleeping and FST studies. QR (50 mg/kg) exhibited a similar pattern of activity as SCL. However, its effects were more prominent than those of SCL groups. SCL (10 mg/kg) altered the DZP-3-mediated effects. SCL-10 co-treated with QR-50 significantly (p < 0.05) increased the latency and decreased sleep time and immobility time, suggesting possible synergistic antidepressant-like effects. In silico studies revealed that SCL and QR demonstrated better binding affinities with GABAA receptor, especially α2 , α3 , and α5 subunits. Both compounds also exhibited good ADMET and drug-like properties. In animal studies, the both compounds worked synergistically to provide antidepressant-like effects in a slightly different fashion. As a conclusion, the combined administration of SCL and QR may be used in upcoming neurological clinical trials, according to in vivo and in silico findings. However, additional investigation is necessary to verify this behavior and clarify the potential mechanism of action.

Chemical Profiling and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Essential Oil Isolated from Pistacia khinjuk Leaves: Insights On GC-MS Analysis and Skin Aging-Relevant Enzymes.

Pistacia khinjuk is a species of flowering plants belonging to family Anacardiaceae, with promising pharmacological activities like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial. This study aimed to investigate the GC-MS chemical composition of essential oil isolated from Pistacia khinjuk leaves and its inhibitory properties against aging-relevant enzymes such a collagenase and elastase. The isolated oil showed predominance of ß-cadinene (15.34 %), γ-amorphene (8.50 %), α-cadinol (8.14 %), τ-cadinol (7.57 %), (E)-ß-caryophyllene (5.77 %), α-pinene (4.70 %), phytol (4.57 %), α-muurolene (3.30 %), (+)-epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene (3.21 %), and cubenene (3.16 %). Further, it showed remarkable inhibitory activities against collagenase and elastase with IC50 values of 15.61±0.69 and 41.12±2.09 µg/mL, respectively compared to epigallocatechin gallate (IC50=29.52±1.3 µg/mL and 26.86±1.37 µg/mL). as a conclusion, the leaf oil is recommended for topical cosmetic preparations to retard skin aging symptoms such as wrinkles. However, the bioavailability assessment and toxicological profile should be considered in the future studies.

In vitro and in vivo studies of Syzygium cumini-loaded electrospun PLGA/PMMA/collagen nanofibers for accelerating topical wound healing.

This work aims to develop plant extract-loaded electrospun nanofiber as an effective wound dressing scaffolds for topical wound healing. Electrospun nanofibers were fabricated from Syzygium cumini leaf extract (SCLE), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), collagen and glycine. Electrospinning conditions were optimized to allow the formation of nanosized and uniform fibers that display smooth surface. Morphology and swelling behavior of the formed nanofibers were studied. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the nanofibers against multidrug-resistant and human pathogens was assessed by agar-well diffusion. Results showed that nanofibers containing Syzygium cumini extract at concentrations of 0.5 and 1% w/v exhibited greater antibacterial activity against the tested Gram-positive (i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata and Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative (i.e., Salmonella paratyphi and Escherichia coli) pathogens compared to the same concentrations of the plain extract. Furthermore, in vivo wound healing was evaluated in Wistar rats over a period of 14 days. In vivo results demonstrated that nanofiber mats containing SCLE and collagen significantly improved wound healing within two weeks, compared to the control untreated group. These findings highlight the potential of fabricated nanofibers in accelerating wound healing and management of topical acute wounds.

Polysaccharides (pectin, mucilage, and fructan inulin) and their fermented products: A critical analysis of their biochemical, gut interactions, and biological functions as antidiabetic agents.

Diabetes mellitus is a globally metabolic endocrine syndrome marked by a deficiency of insulin secretion (type-1 DM) or glucose intolerance arising from insulin response impairment (type-2 DM) leading to abnormal glucose metabolism. With an increasing interest in natural dietary components for diabetes management, the identification of novel agents witnessed major discoveries. Plant-derived mucilage, pectin, and inulin are important non-starch polysaccharides that exhibit effective antidiabetic properties often termed soluble dietary fiber (SDF). SDF affects sugar metabolism through multiple mechanisms affecting glucose absorption and diffusion, modulation of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), ameliorating ß-pancreatic cell dysfunction, and improving insulin release or sensitivity. Certain SDFs inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and influence the expression levels of genes related to glucose metabolism. This review is designed to discuss holistically and critically the antidiabetic effects of major SDF and their underlying mechanisms of action. This review should aid drug discovery approaches in developing novel natural antidiabetic drugs from SDF.

Pharmacological properties of mangiferin: bioavailability, mechanisms of action and clinical perspectives.

This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the pharmacological properties of mangiferin, focusing primarily on its bioavailability and mechanisms of action, and its potential therapeutic applications, especially in the context of chronic diseases. We conducted a comprehensive examination of in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical trials involving mangiferin or plant extracts containing mangiferin. The primary source of mangiferin is Mangifera indica, but it's also found in other plant species from the families Anacardiaceae, Gentianaceae, and Iridaceae. Mangiferin has exhibited a myriad of therapeutic properties, presenting itself as a promising candidate for treating various chronic conditions including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, renal and pulmonary diseases, diabetes, and obesity. Despite the promising results showcased in many in vitro studies and certain animal studies, the application of mangiferin has been limited due to its poor solubility, absorption, and overall bioavailability. Mangiferin offers significant therapeutic potential in treating a spectrum of chronic diseases, as evidenced by both in vitro and clinical trials. However, the challenges concerning its bioavailability necessitate further research, particularly in optimizing its delivery and absorption, to harness its full medicinal potential. This review serves as a comprehensive update on the health-promoting and therapeutic activities of mangiferin.

Efficacy of Rotundic Acid and Its Derivatives as Promising Natural Anticancer Triterpenoids: A Literature-Based Study.

Rotundic acid (RA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene with a multitude of pharmacological activities. The primary emphasis of this study is on summarizing the anticancer properties with the underlying mechanisms of RA and its derivatives, as well as the pharmacokinetic features. Data was collected (up to date as of November 10, 2023) from various reliable and authentic literatures by searching in different academic search engines, including PubMed, Springer Link, Scopus, Wiley Online, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The findings imply that RA and its synthetic derivatives possess promising anti-cancer properties against breast, colorectal, liver, and cervical cancers in various preclinical pharmacological test systems. The results also indicate that RA and its derivatives demonstrated anticancer effects via a number of cellular mechanisms, including apoptotic cell death, inhibition of oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory effect, cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, anti-proliferative effect, anti-angiogenic effect, and inhibition of cancer cell migration and invasion. It has been proposed that RA and its derived compounds have the capability to serve as a hopeful chemotherapeutic agent, so further extensive clinical research is necessary.

Comparative Study of Essential Oils from Different Organs of Syzygium cumini (Pamposia) Based on GC/MS Chemical Profiling and In Vitro Antiaging Activity.

Syzygium cumini L. is an evergreen tree belonging to family Myrtaceae, employed for different traditional uses like diabetes, inflammation, and fever. The current study aimed to compare the chemical compositions of the essential oils (EOs) isolated from different organs of Syzygium cumini (leaves (Scl), fruits (Scf), seeds (Scs), and bark (Scb)) using a GC/MS analysis. Also, a chemometric analysis was applied to explore the main similarities and differences among different organs using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and a hierarchal cluster analysis (HCA). Furthermore, in vitro antiaging activities were investigated via anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase assays. The GC-MS analysis revealed 82 compounds representing 92.13%, 99.42%, 100%, and 92.97% in Scl, Scf, Scs, and Scb, respectively. The predominant components were α-pinene, ß-pinene, (E)-ß-caryophyllene, α-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, and α-humulene epoxide II with variable percentages. All EOs were positioned on positive PC1, except for Scs, which was positioned on the negative side in a separate quadrant. The HCA dendrogram displayed the closeness of Scl and Scb, which was not clearly recognized in the PCA score plot. Moreover, the Scs oils were totally discriminated from other parts. The Scl and Scs oils showed superior anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase activities. Thus, S. cumini oils should be considered for cosmetic preparations to retard skin aging manifestations.

In Vitro Antioxidant and In Vivo Hepatoprotective Properties of Wissadula periplocifolia Extract.

Wissadula periplocifolia (L.) Thwaites is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the family Malvaceae, used in folk medicine for inflamed snake bites and bee stings. The current study was designed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant and in vivo anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of 80% ethanol extract of W. periplocifolia and its different fractions. The crude ethanolic extract (CEE) was then serially fractionated with petroleum ether fraction (PEF), chloroform fraction (CHF), and aqueous fraction (AQF). The antioxidant activity was assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay, anti-inflammatory activity was determined in the xylene-induced ear edema model, and hepatoprotective activity was measured in the paracetamol-induced hepatic injury model. PEF showed a significant scavenging effect with an IC50 value of 33.5 µg/mL, followed by CEE (IC50 = 42.2 µg/mL), CHF (IC50 = 77 µg/mL), and AQF (IC50 = 80 µg/mL), compared to standard butylated hydroxytoluene (IC50 = 14.8 µg/mL). Both doses of CEE (250 and 500 mg/kg) could reduce ear edema by 41.3 and 50%, respectively, compared to standard diclofenac sodium (76.09%). Moreover, CEE significantly reduces the elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), compared to control. Nevertheless, it elevated blood protein and reduced the blood bilirubin level (p < 0.01), compared to control. Histopathological studies also indicated significant protection of the liver from paracetamol-induced liver damage. In conclusion, W. periplocifolia could be a good source of antioxidant and hepatoprotective phytochemicals; meanwhile, toxicological and pharmacokinetic studies are recommended.

Phytochemical profiling and neuroprotective activity of Callistemon subulatus leaves against cyclophosphamide-induced chemobrain.

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is a chemotherapeutic drug used for various types of cancers. However, patients receiving CPA for long periods suffer cognitive impairment associated with difficulties in learning, decreased concentration, and impaired memory. Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment, known as chemobrain, has been attributed to enhanced oxidative stress and inflammatory response. The current study aimed to identify the phytoconstituents of Callistemon subulatus extract (CSE) using HPLC-ESI/MS-MS analysis and evaluate its neuroprotective activity against CPA-induced chemobrain in rats. Fourteen compounds were identified following HPLC analysis including, five phlorglucinols, four flavonol glycosides, a triterpene, and a phenolic acid. Forty rats were divided into five groups treated for ten days as follows; group I (control group), group II received CPA (200 mg/kg, i.p.) on the 7th day, groups III and IV received CSE (200 and 400 mg/kg respectively, orally) for ten days and CPA (200 mg/kg, i.p.) on the 7th day, and group V received only CSE (400 mg/kg, orally) for ten days. The administration of CSE effectively ameliorated the deleterious effects of CPA on spatial and short-term memories, as evidenced by behavioral tests, Y-maze and passive avoidance. Such findings were further confirmed by histological examination. In addition, CSE counteracted the effect of CPA on hippocampal acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity enhancing the level of acetylcholine. Owing to the CSE antioxidant properties, it hindered the CPA-induced redox imbalance, which is represented by decreased catalase and reduced glutathione levels, as well as enhanced lipid peroxidation. Therefore, CSE may be a promising natural candidate for protection against CPA-induced chemobrain in cancer patients.

Genus Pimenta: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Botany, Distribution, Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry and Biological Approaches.

Pimenta is a genus of flowering plants belonging to family Myrtaceae, native to the West Indies, Mexico, and South America. Numerous traditional uses were reported as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, sedative, diuretic, and sexual stimulant. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemical profile, and biological activities of genus Pimenta for future exploration of plant-based drugs and therapeutic approaches. The data were collected (up to date as of October 1, 2023) from several databases such as Web of Science, google scholar, science direct, Pubmed and Proquest. Pimenta species were reported to include various classes of phytochemicals like tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and essential oils. Quercetin glycosides and eugenol derivatives were the predominant compounds of this genus. Several biological activities have been reported such as antihypertensive, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, histidine decarboxylase inhibition, hypoglycemic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, acaricidal, anxiolytic, anti-depressant and anti-estrogenic. Several scientific reports have been published on various isolated phytochemicals and pharmacological properties of Pimenta species that confirm its ethnobotanical and traditional history. However, in vivo studies on different extracts and their phytoconstituents, alongside mechanistic analysis deserve more attention for drug researchers to provide better guidance to utilize Pimenta plants as medicinal resources for herbal formulations in different approaches.

The efficacy of natural bioactive compounds against prostate cancer: Molecular targets and synergistic activities.

Globally, prostate cancer (PCa) is regarded as a challenging health issue, and the number of PCa patients continues to rise despite the availability of effective treatments in recent decades. The current therapy with chemotherapeutic drugs has been largely ineffective due to multidrug resistance and the conventional treatment has restricted drug accessibility to malignant tissues, necessitating a higher dosage resulting in increased cytotoxicity. Plant-derived bioactive compounds have recently attracted a great deal of attention in the field of PCa treatment due to their potent effects on several molecular targets and synergistic effects with anti-PCa drugs. This review emphasizes the molecular mechanism of phytochemicals on PCa cells, the synergistic effects of compound-drug interactions, and stem cell targeting for PCa treatment. Some potential compounds, such as curcumin, phenethyl-isothiocyanate, fisetin, baicalein, berberine, lutein, and many others, exert an anti-PCa effect via inhibiting proliferation, metastasis, cell cycle progression, and normal apoptosis pathways. In addition, multiple studies have demonstrated that the isolated natural compounds: d-limonene, paeonol, lanreotide, artesunate, and bicalutamide have potential synergistic effects. Further, a significant number of natural compounds effectively target PCa stem cells. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of these phytochemicals against PCa.

HPLC-ESI/MS-MS characterization of compounds in Dolomiaea costus extract and evaluation of cytotoxic and antiviral properties: molecular mechanisms underlying apoptosis-inducing effect on breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Dolomiaea costus (syn: Saussurea costus; Family Asteraceae) occupies an important place in the traditional Chinese medicinal plants and is prescribed for a wide range of disorders. The current study aimed to tentatively identify the phytoconstituents of D. costus extract and to explore antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cells and its possible apoptotic mechanism along with antiviral activity against human adenovirus 5 (Adv-5). METHODS: The phytoconstituents of 70% ethanol extract of D. costus were assessed using HPLC/ESI-MS/MS technique. The cell viability was investigated against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Mechanistically, the apoptotic effects on the Bax, Bcl2 and Caspase 3 were determined via quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Further, the antiviral activity was assessed against Adv-5 based on virucidal and adsorption mechanisms. RESULTS: The HPLC/MS analysis of the extract revealed tentative identification of twenty compounds of polyphenolic nature, mainly flavonoids, lignans, coumarins, and anthocyanidins. The plant extract showed a cytotoxic effect against MCF-7 and Vero cells with IC50 values of 15.50 and 44 µg/ml, respectively, indicating its aggressiveness against the proliferation of breast cancer cells as confirmed by apoptotic genes expression which revealed upregulation of Bax and Caspase 3 but further insight analysis is needed to explore exact mechanistic pathway. Antiviral activity against Adv-5 was observed at a non-toxic concentration of the tested extract. CONCLUSIONS: Such observations against human breast cancer and viral replication supported further studies for nanoformulations in drug delivery systems as targeting therapy and in vivo studies before biomedical applications.

Anticancer Potential of the Plant-Derived Saponin Gracillin: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanistic Approaches.

With the increasing prevalence of cancer and the toxic side effects of synthetic drugs, natural products are being developed as promising therapeutic approaches. Gracillin is a naturally occurring triterpenoid steroidal saponin with several therapeutic activities. It is obtained as a major compound from different Dioscorea species. This review was designated to summarize the research progress on the anti-cancer activities of gracillin focusing on the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, as well as its pharmacokinetic features. The data were collected (up to date as of May 1, 2023) from various reliable and authentic literatures comprising PubMed, Springer Link, Scopus, Wiley Online, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The findings demonstrated that gracillin displays promising anticancer effects through various molecular mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory effects, apoptotic cell death, induction of oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, induction of genotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, anti-proliferative effect, autophagy, inhibition of glycolysis, and blocking of cancer cell migration. Additionally, this review highlighted the pharmacokinetic features of gracillin, indicating its lower oral bioavailability. As a conclusion, it can be proposed that gracillin could serve as a hopeful chemotherapeutic agent. However, further extensive clinical research is recommended to establish its safety, efficacy, and therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.