Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ewa Forma, Magdalena Brys
Summary: Propolis, a natural material produced by honey bees from various botanical sources, has therapeutic activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects, with potential benefits in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Research suggests that propolis can also stimulate apoptosis, influence the tumor microenvironment, and potentially reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ammad Ahmad Farooqi, Rukset Attar, Baojun Xu
Summary: Cancer is a life-threatening disease that has been extensively studied in the past three decades. Thymoquinone, a natural product, has shown promising potential in cancer chemoprevention through its multifunctionality. Further research is needed to transition thymoquinone from preclinical studies to clinical trials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Myeong-Jin Kim, Hye-Won Kawk, Sang-Hyeon Kim, Hyo-Jae Lee, Ji-Won Seo, Chang-Yeol Lee, Young-Min Kim
Summary: Cancer metastasis is closely related to the survival rate of cancer patients. Ribes fasciculatum, a medicinal plant, has been confirmed to have anticancer potential and can inhibit cancer migration, reduce anoikis resistance, induce apoptosis, arrest the cell cycle, induce oxidative stress, and reduce cell mobility. The downregulation of proteins, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), attenuates the resistance to anoikis. The anticancer effect of Ribes fasciculatum extract (RFE) is dependent on the increase in p53 expression and has been confirmed in both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ping Huang, Han Zhao, Jinying Li, Hua Dai, Jia Wang, Chunhua Xia, Fanglan Liu
Summary: This study found that SIRT3 regulates autophagy by phosphorylation of AMPK, and promotes ferroptosis by inducing the formation of BECN1-SLC7A11 complexes. This discovery has potential therapeutic value for treating breast cancer.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mostafa I. Abdelglil, Sanaa O. Abdallah, Mohamed A. El-Desouky, Mohammad Y. Alfaifi, Serag Eldin I. Elbehairi, Aly F. Mohamed
Summary: The study found that crude venom and gamma irradiated Certastes cerastes venom exhibited higher toxicity against lung and prostate cancer cells, while propolis ethanolic extract showed lower toxicity. These substances affected the cell cycle and expression of apoptotic genes in lung and prostate cancer cells, leading to DNA accumulation and oxidative stress response.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Etil Guzelmeric, Hande Sipahi, Yagmur Ozhan, Muhammed Hamitoglu, Sinem Helvacioglu, Gamze Duz, Ismail Emir Akyildiz, Beril Kadioglu Yaman, Merve Hazar, Sevtap Aydin Dilsiz, Ahmet Aydin, Erdem Yesilada
Summary: Propolis samples from black poplar and Eurasian aspen were analyzed for their chemical composition and biological activity. Black poplar propolis contained flavonoid aglycones, while aspen propolis contained phenolic acids. All propolis extracts showed anticancer and anti-mutagenic activity, as well as geno-protective effects against H2O2-induced DNA damage. The study findings have implications for the development of standardized propolis extracts with defined pharmacological benefits.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alhanouf A. Aljohani, Yasmeen S. Alqarni, Maram N. Alrashidi, Maha H. Aljuhani, Shaimaa A. Shehata, Mohamed K. El-Kherbetawy, Kousalya Prabahar, Reem Alshaman, Abdullah Alattar, Ahmed M. N. Helaly, Hayam Ateyya, Ezzat A. Ismail, Sawsan A. Zaitone
Summary: This study assessed the nephrotoxic effect of leflunomide (LEFN) in mice and explored the role of TGF beta-stimulated p53/SMAD2/3 signaling. The results showed that chronic administration of LEFN led to increased levels of urea and creatinine in mice, as well as significant histopathological manifestations in kidney tissues. Western blot analysis also indicated upregulation of p-p53/Smad2/3 proteins. Therefore, LEFN-induced nephrotoxicity may be mediated through the TGF beta-stimulated p53/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway and induction of glomerular and tubular apoptosis.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Naiara Cassia Gancedo, Raquel Isolani, Natalia Castelhano de Oliveira, Celso Vataru Nakamura, Daniela Cristina de Medeiros Araujo, Andreia Cristina Conegero Sanches, Fernanda Stumpf Tonin, Fernando Fernandez-Llimos, Danielly Chierrito, Joao Carlos Palazzo de Mello
Summary: This study aimed to synthesize the anticancer and anti-proliferative potential of Limonium species through a systematic review. The results indicate that Limonium species have the potential to be a source of new potential cytotoxic and anticancer agents. However, further research and improved experimental designs are needed to better understand the mechanism of action of these compounds.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xinhao Song, Yan Zhang, Runan Zuo, Jingjing Zhang, Mengjuan Lin, Junqi Wang, Shiheng Hu, Hui Ji, Lin Peng, Yingjun Lv, Xiuge Gao, Shanxiang Jiang, Dawei Guo
Summary: The study demonstrates that maduramicin (MAD) can effectively suppress the growth of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, and a nanoemulsion system loaded with MAD (MAD-NEs) has been successfully developed. MAD-NEs are stable and have high encapsulation efficiency, and they can arrest cells in the G0/G1 phase and induce apoptosis, significantly impeding the metastasis of tumor cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Assem Barakat, Saeed Alshahrani, Abdullah Mohammed Al-Majid, Abdullah Saleh Alamary, Matti Haukka, Marwa M. Abu-Serie, Alexander Domling, Eman A. Mazyed, Farid A. Badria, Fardous F. El-Senduny
Summary: This study investigated the anticancer activity of the compound SP1 and its nanoformulation against breast adenocarcinoma. The results showed that SP1 exhibited strong inhibitory effects on multiple cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis. The use of a nanoformulation improved the selectivity of the compound against cancer cells. In vivo studies on mice confirmed the ability of SP1 to halt the proliferation of breast cancer cells and suppress metastasis.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Manzoor Ahmad Malik, Md Kausar Raza, Arif Mohammed, Mohmmad Younus Wani, Abdullah Saad Al-Bogami, Athar Adil Hashmi
Summary: The study synthesized and evaluated three transition metal complexes with different central metal ions for their anticancer activity, with the square planar copper complex C1 showing the highest activity. The cell death was induced through apoptosis mediated by caspase-3, and the interesting anticancer activity of C1 was attributed to its interactions with DNA and induction of apoptotic proteins.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haseeb A. A. Khan, Ali Al-Hoshani, Anvarhusein A. A. Isab, Abdullah S. S. Alhomida
Summary: Breast cancer is a common and deadly disease among women globally. Developing more potent and less toxic anticancer drugs is crucial. In this study, a gold(III) complex, DDBDG, was synthesized and found to bind effectively with PPAR gamma and induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells. DDBDG showed drug-like characteristics and high apoptotic activity at low concentrations, suggesting its potential application in affordable chemotherapy for cancer.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiu-Rong Ma, Jun-Jian Lu, Bo Huang, Xing-Yun Lu, Rong-Tao Li, Rui-Rong Ye
Summary: In this study, three heterometallic Ru(II)-Re(I) complexes were designed and synthesized. Cytotoxicity tests showed that these complexes exhibited high phototoxicities against multiple cancer cell lines, with RuRe2 showing the most significant increase in cytotoxicity against human prostate cancer cells under light irradiation. Mechanistic studies revealed that RuRe2-mediated photodynamic therapy induced tumor cell apoptosis and inhibited PC3 cell scratch healing, as well as the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and VEGFR2. Additionally, RuRe2 exhibited anti-angiogenic activities.
JOURNAL OF INORGANIC BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Noha M. M. Ashry, Halla E. K. El Bahgy, Abdelkader Mohamed, Nouf H. H. Alsubhi, Ghadeer I. I. Alrefaei, Najat Binothman, Mona Alharbi, Samy Selim, Mohammed S. S. Almuhayawi, Mohanned T. T. Alharbi, Mohammed K. K. Nagshabandi, Ahmed M. M. Saad, Mohamed T. T. El-Saadony, Basel Sitohy
Summary: This study tested the inhibitory effects of chitosan, graphene oxide, and graphene oxide-chitosan composite on bacterial growth and found that chitosan has antibacterial and anticancer activity. Furthermore, the concentration of chitosan and the ratio of graphene oxide and its composite also affect the antibacterial effect.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Utsa Karmakar, Julia Y. Chu, Kruthika Sundaram, Anne L. Astier, Hannah Garside, Carsten G. Hansen, Ian Dransfield, Sonja Vermeren
Summary: Persistent neutrophilic inflammation plays a key role in autoimmune diseases characterized by abundant immune complexes. Insoluble immune complexes (iICs) not only activate pro-inflammatory neutrophil functions, but also promote inflammation resolution by inducing neutrophil apoptosis. iICs trigger FcγRIIa-dependent neutrophil macropinocytosis, leading to rapid uptake and degradation of iICs, providing a mechanism for neutrophil clearance of pro-inflammatory iICs.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vipul Kumar, Jaspreet Kaur Dhanjal, Priyanshu Bhargava, Ashish Kaul, Jia Wang, Huayue Zhang, Sunil C. Kaul, Renu Wadhwa, Durai Sundar
Summary: A study examined the binding potential of natural compounds Withaferin-A, Withanone, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester to the cell surface receptor TMPRSS2 using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that Withanone had stronger interactions with TMPRSS2 and was able to induce changes in its allosteric site. Furthermore, Withanone downregulated TMPRSS2 mRNA expression, suggesting its potential dual action in blocking SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rajkumar Singh Kalra, Vipul Kumar, Jaspreet Kaur Dhanjal, Sukant Garg, Xiaoshuai Li, Sunil C. Kaul, Durai Sundar, Renu Wadhwa
Summary: Research shows that withanolides derived from Ashwagandha have potential therapeutic effects against the SARS-CoV-2 virus by inhibiting the ACE2 protein. Among them, stem extracts demonstrate higher inhibitory potency.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ashish Kaul, Raviprasad Kuthethur, Yoshiyuki Ishida, Keiji Terao, Renu Wadhwa, Sunil C. Kaul
Summary: Propolis, also known as bee-glue, is a resinous substance produced by honeybees from materials collected from plants. It is used by bees as a building material in their hives and by humans for various purposes in traditional healthcare practices. Two types of propolis, New Zealand and Brazilian green propolis, have been studied extensively and shown to possess bioactive constituents with anticancer activities. In addition, they have shown potential for protection against oxidative stress and treatment of age-related brain pathologies.
Article
Oncology
Rajkumar S. Kalra, Gaurav S. Soman, Pradeep B. Parab, Avinash M. Mali, Sagar S. Varankar, Rutika R. Naik, Swapnil C. Kamble, Jaspreet K. Dhanjal, Sharmila A. Bapat
Summary: The monoclonal antibody mAb150 targets cancer stem cells, promoting their reentry into the cell cycle and disrupting tumor dormancy, leading to effective tumor targeting.
TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Anissa Nofita Sari, Jaspreet Kaur Dhanjal, Ahmed Elwakeel, Vipul Kumar, Hazna Noor Meidinna, Huayue Zhang, Yoshiyuki Ishida, Keiji Terao, Durai Sundar, Sunil C. Kaul, Renu Wadhwa
Summary: A combination of low doses of Wi-A and CAPE, two natural compounds found in Ashwagandha leaves and propolis, respectively, exhibits potent anti-migratory and anti-angiogenic activities. This combination acts on cell adhesion/tight junction proteins and inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, leading to the downregulation of EMT-signaling proteins. These findings suggest that this combination may be a potential therapeutic option for metastatic and aggressive cancers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vidhi Malik, Navaneethan Radhakrishnan, Sunil C. Kaul, Renu Wadhwa, Durai Sundar
Summary: The study suggests that Withaferin-A and Withanone from Ashwagandha have potential as natural drugs for the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. These compounds interact with the protein kinase ABL, and inhibition of ABL may contribute to their anticancer activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Navaneethan Radhakrishnan, Sunil C. Kaul, Renu Wadhwa, Durai Sundar
Summary: The development of drugs that selectively target cancer cells while being safe for normal cells is crucial in cancer treatment. This study used in silico molecular models to investigate the impact of phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure on the membrane permeation of natural compounds in cancer cells. The findings showed that PS exposure facilitated the permeation of certain compounds in cancer cell membranes, suggesting the potential of PS exposure-based models for studying drug selectivity in cancer cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jaspreet Kaur Dhanjal, Rajkumar Singh Kalra
Summary: Cancer is a disease caused by perturbed genes, with driver mutations dictating the functional impacts and progression of the disease. Recently, there has been significant attention on identifying driver events from genomic alterations to develop precision cancer therapies. Predicting cancer drivers using genetic signatures and protein structures can provide more clinically relevant evidence than genetic variations alone.
CURRENT PROTEIN & PEPTIDE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Hazna Noor Meidinna, Seyad Shefrin, Anissa Nofita Sari, Huayue Zhang, Jaspreet Kaur Dhanjal, Sunil C. Kaul, Durai Sundar, Renu Wadhwa
Summary: In this study, a novel compound called Mortaparib(Mild) was characterized for its ability to interact with mortalin, p53, and PARP1. The compound was found to downregulate the expression and functions of mortalin and PARP1, impeding cancer cell proliferation and migration. Mortaparib(Mild) shows potential as a candidate anticancer compound.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Neha Quadir, Jasdeep Singh, Anwar Alam, Asrar Ahmad Malik, Syed Asad Rahman, Subhash Hira, Nasreen Zafar Ehtesham, Durai Sundar, Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain
Summary: The acquisition of multiple mutations, including immune-escape mutations, by Omicron allows it to maintain a selection advantage within the population. Despite lower hospitalization and death rates, the surges in Omicron variants can still offset public health measures and disrupt healthcare facilities. The BA.4/BA.5 variants are found to be more severe than the earlier-emerged Omicron variants. Active COVID-19 surveillance can help understand the evolution and transmission patterns of new variants. The sudden decline in reported cases in low- and middle-income countries needs to be addressed to prevent undetected spread.
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Jaspreet Kaur Dhanjal, Rajkumar Singh Kalra, Dhanendra Tomar, Amrendra K. Ajay
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Huayue Zhang, Jia Wang, Jay Prakash, Zhenya Zhang, Sunil C. Kaul, Renu Wadhwa
Summary: A variety of environmental stresses are associated with negative impacts on quality of life and health, including metabolic disorders, cognitive impairment, and accelerated aging. Despite advancements in drug development, there are limited options for stress management. Cell-based screening identified several compounds, including Withaferin-A (Wi-A), methoxy Withaferin-A (mWi-A), Withanone (Wi-N), triethylene glycol (TEG), and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) leaf M2-DMSO extract (M2DM), that showed potential in protecting cells from oxidative, metal, and hypoxia stresses.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Letter
Chemistry, Medicinal
Vipul Kumar, Anissa Nofita Sari, Hazna Noor Meidinna, Ashish Kaul, Brohmomoy Basu, Yoshiyuki Ishida, Keiji Terao, Sunil C. C. Kaul, Sudhanshu Vrati, Durai Sundar, Renu Wadhwa
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dhvani Sandip Vora, Shashank Yadav, Durai Sundar
Summary: CRISPR/Cas9 technology allows precise genome editing and has contributed to various scientific and medical advancements. However, the unintentional off-target effects create a burden on the genome and hinder further research. Recent off-target prediction tools have used machine learning and deep learning techniques to better understand the potential off-targets, as the rules governing Cas9 activity are still not fully understood.
Article
Oncology
Rajkumar Singh Kalra, Anupama Chaudhary, Amr Omar, Xiaoshuai Li, Mallika Khurana, Sunil C. Kaul, Renu Wadhwa
Summary: Discovery of CARF as a protein that interacts with ARF and promotes ARF-p53p21WAF1 signaling and cellular senescence established its role in genomic stress. Further studies revealed its involvement in regulation of senescence, growth arrest, apoptosis, and malignant transformation in response to stress. This study assessed the quantitative impact of CARF expression level on these cell fates and found that CARF expression level can serve as a predictive measure of cell fates.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2023)
