Natural Bioactive Compounds Targeting Histone Deacetylases in Human Cancers: Recent Updates.

Cancer is a complex pathology that causes a large number of deaths worldwide. Several risk factors are involved in tumor transformation, including epigenetic factors. These factors are a set of changes that do not affect the DNA sequence, while modifying the gene's expression. Histone modification is an essential mark in maintaining cellular memory and, therefore, loss of this mark can lead to tumor transformation. As these epigenetic changes are reversible, the use of molecules that can restore the functions of the enzymes responsible for the changes is therapeutically necessary. Natural molecules, mainly those isolated from medicinal plants, have demonstrated significant inhibitory properties against enzymes related to histone modifications, particularly histone deacetylases (HDACs). Flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids exert significant inhibitory effects against HDAC and exhibit promising epi-drug properties. This suggests that epi-drugs against HDAC could prevent and treat various human cancers. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the pharmacodynamic action of different natural compounds extracted from medicinal plants against the enzymatic activity of HDAC.

Application of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology in various fields: A review.

CRISPR-Cas9 has emerged as a revolutionary tool that enables precise and efficient modifications of the genetic material. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its applications in genome editing. We begin by describing the fundamental principles of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, explaining how the system utilizes a single guide RNA (sgRNA) to direct the Cas9 nuclease to specific DNA sequences in the genome, resulting in targeted double-stranded breaks. In this review, we provide in-depth explorations of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its applications in agriculture, medicine, environmental sciences, fisheries, nanotechnology, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. We also highlight its potential, ongoing research, and the ethical considerations and controversies surrounding its use. This review might contribute to the understanding of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its implications in various fields, paving the way for future developments and responsible applications of this transformative technology.

Biogenic Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Evaluation of Pristine and Graphene-Loaded Zn50Mg50O Nanocomposites for Organic Dyes Removal.

Algal biomass synthesised nanocomposites have a higher surface area and reusability advantages. This study aimed to synthesise and characterise ZnMgO and silica-supported graphene with ZnMgO (G-ZnMgO) nanocomposites from Kappaphycusalvarezii and evaluate their potential in the application of photocatalysis to remove Rhodamine-B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB) dyes from their aqueous medium by maximising the percentage removal using response surface methodology (RSM) modelling. Nanocomposites were synthesised and characterised by biogenic and instrumental (Powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD), electron microscopic analysis (SEM and TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS)) methods, respectively; modelling predicted the optimal conditions to be photocatalyst dosage and contact time of 1 g/L and 90 min, respectively, to obtain maximum MB dye removal of 80% using G-ZnMgO. The results showed the best fit between experimental and RSM predicted values. Thus, the obtained results conclude that the algal biomass synthesised nanocomposites were found to be one of the potential photocatalysts for the removal of RhB and MB dyes from their aqueous solution.

Antibacterial activity of seed aqueous extract of Citrus limon (L.) mediated synthesis ZnO NPs: An impact on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) caudal fin development.

Among the different metal oxide nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles have gained significant importance due to their antibacterial properties against clinically pathogenic bacteria during the organal development. In the present study, biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using seed extract of Citrus limon by a simple, cost-effective, and green chemistry approach. The synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Dynamic Light Scattering, and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Next, the antimicrobial activity of ZnO NPs was tested against clinically pathogenic bacteria, i.e., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Bacillus subtilis. Followed by, ZnO NPs were evaluated for the development of caudal fin in Zebrafish. The UV-Vis spectram result showed a band at 380 nm and FTIR results confirmed the ZnO NPs. The average crystallite size of the ZnO NPs was 52.65 ± 0.5 nm by the Debye Scherrer equation and SEM showed spherical-shaped particles. A zone of inhibition around ZnO NPs applied to P. fluorescens indicates sensitive to ZnO NPs followed by B. subtilis. Among the four different bacterial pathogens, E. aerogenes was the most susceptible compared to the other three pathogens. The calculated sub-lethal concentration of ZnO NPs at 96 h was 153.8 mg/L with a 95% confidence limit ranging from 70.62 to 214.18 mg/L, which was used with partially amputated zebrafish caudal fin growth. A significant (p < 0.5) development (95%) in the amputated caudal fin was detected at 12 days post-amputation. Low concentrated ZnO NPs can reduce developmental malformation. Collectively, suggested results strongly proved that lemon seed-mediated synthesized ZnO NPs had a good pathogenic barrier for bacterial infection during the external organal development for the first time.

Health Benefits and Pharmacological Properties of Carvone.

Carvone is a monoterpene ketone contained in the essential oils of several aromatic and medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families. From aromatic plants, this monoterpene is secreted at different concentrations depending on the species, the parts used, and the extraction methods. Currently, pharmacological investigations showed that carvone exhibits multiple pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antineuraminidase, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. These studies were carried out in vitro and in vivo and involved a great deal of knowledge on the mechanisms of action. Indeed, the antimicrobial effects are related to the action of carvone on the cell membrane and to ultrastructural changes, while the anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects involve the action on cellular and molecular targets such as inducing of apoptosis, autophagy, and senescence. With its multiple mechanisms, carvone can be considered as natural compounds to develop therapeutic drugs. However, other investigations regarding its precise mechanisms of action as well as its acute and chronic toxicities are needed to validate its applications. Therefore, this review discusses the principal studies investigating the pharmacological properties of carvone, and the mechanism of action underlying some of these properties. Moreover, further investigations of major pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies were also suggested.