Review
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Hao Da-Cheng, Hou Xu-Dong, Gu Xiao-Jie, Xiao Pei-Gen, Ge Guang-Bo
Summary: Cephalotaxus is the only genus of the Cephalotaxaceae family, and its natural resources are declining due to habitat fragmentation, excessive exploitation, and destruction. Traditional applications of Cephalotaxus plants for treating various diseases have been acknowledged, and efforts are being made to develop their phytometabolites into therapeutic drugs, particularly in the field of anticancer reagents. Research on the ethnopharmacology, chemodiversity, and bioactivities of Cephalotaxus medicinal plants is advancing, with a focus on identifying and utilizing their beneficial compounds. Future research directions should involve strengthening the application of advanced technologies and continuous efforts to collect and sort out folk medicinal knowledge related to Cephalotaxus.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF NATURAL MEDICINES
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Haiyue Gong, Ping He, Xiaozhong Lan, Lingjiang Zeng, Zhihua Liao
Summary: In this review, we summarize the advances in the biosynthesis and engineering of MTA production, which holds great significance for the pharmaceutical industry.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kyo Bin Kang, Eunah Jeong, Seungju Son, Eunjin Lee, Seungjin Lee, Seong Yeon Choi, Hyun Woo Kim, Heejung Yang, Sang Hee Shim
Summary: This article presents a method for high-throughput analysis of the chemical compositions of medicinal plants used in traditional East Asian medicine through tandem mass spectrometry. The dataset and spectral library provided can serve as a reference for the analysis of specialized metabolites in plants.
Review
Plant Sciences
Yuru Wen, Yiran Liao, Yueli Tang, Hongbo Zhang, Jiahui Zhang, Zhihua Liao
Summary: This review discusses the impact of elicitation on the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids (TAs). It covers single-elicitor treatment, multiple-elicitor treatment, and the combination of elicitation strategy with other strategies. While the synergistic effects of multiple elicitors have been observed, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. Further research is needed to effectively implement elicitation strategies in commercial production and explore the integration of elicitation with other strategies.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wei Guo, Peng Cao, Xuanbin Wang, Min Hu, Yibin Feng
Summary: This review systematically reviews the metabolomics investigations on metabolism-targeting therapies for gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) in the recent 10 years, with a focus on the changes in carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, nucleotide metabolisms, as well as other altered metabolisms. It also discusses the potential of active compounds, extracts, and formulas from medicinal plants, as well as the current perspectives and future challenges of metabolism-targeting therapies for GIC.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ai-Ping Deng, Yue Zhang, Li Zhou, Chuan-Zhi Kang, Chao-Gen Lv, Li-Ping Kang, Tie-Gui Nan, Zhi-Lai Zhan, Lan-Ping Guo, Lu-Qi Huang
Summary: The genus Corydalis, a botanical source of various pharmaceutically active components, has been widely used in traditional medicine, especially in China, for thousands of years. Its member species are known for treating a variety of ailments, with analgesia being the most important effect. These plants are rich in alkaloids and other chemical components, which have pharmacological efficacy against diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular and digestive systems.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yun-Hao Ma, Wan-Tong Ma, Zhong-Kun Zhou, Xiu Huang, Xin-Rong Jiang, Kang-Jia Du, Meng-Ze Sun, Hao Zhang, Hong Fang, Yi Zhao, Hong-Mei Zhu, Huan-Xiang Liu, Peng Chen, Ying-Qian Liu
Summary: Neocryptolepine derivatives, especially 8-Fluoroneocryptolepine (8FNC), have shown promising cytotoxic activity against gastric cancer cells (AGS) with greater selectivity and cytotoxicity compared to commonly used drugs. Structural modifications improved the cytotoxic effect and reduced toxicity to normal gastric cells (GES-1), making 8FNC a potential lead compound for the development of gastric cancer treatment. Mechanistic studies suggest that 8FNC inhibits AGS cell migration and induces apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mohammad Bagherniya, Hamed Khedmatgozar, Omid Fakheran, Suowen Xu, Thomas P. Johnston, Amirhossein Sahebkar
Summary: The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multiprotein complex that is activated by a wide range of danger signals resulting from metabolic dysregulation. Nutraceuticals and medicinal plants have antiinflammatory properties and can be used as complementary therapy in chronic diseases related to inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Herb-based medicine has shown protective effects against NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Qian Wan, Jie Xu, Chengjing Zhu, Xingxing Liu, Yijun Tu, Jiachuan Lei, Jianqing Yu
Summary: In this study, 16 compounds, including 9 new amide alkaloids, were isolated from the roots of Piper longum L. These compounds exhibited better anti-inflammatory activities compared to indomethacin. Among them, five dimeric amide alkaloids showed synergistic effects with chemotherapeutic drugs against cervical cancer cells and enhanced the efficacy of paclitaxel in paclitaxel-resistant cervical cancer cells. Additionally, these dimeric amide alkaloids could promote cancer cell apoptosis through the Src/ERK/STAT3 signaling pathway.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yiwei Hu, Shuai Ma, Xiaoyan Pang, Mengjing Cong, Qianqian Liu, Fanghai Han, Junjian Wang, Weineng Feng, Yonghong Liu, Junfeng Wang
Summary: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma that has a higher proliferative rate, earlier metastasis, and poorer outcomes compared to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Through molecular networking, new pyridone alkaloids were discovered and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. One of the alkaloids, arthpyrone O showed potent efficacy against SCLC cells in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo, suggesting its potential as a drug discovery scaffold.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Magdalena Joanna Winkiel, Szymon Chowanski, Malgorzata Slocinska
Summary: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and Solanaceae glycoalkaloids (GAs) have been identified as potential chemotherapeutic compounds. These natural compounds, widely used in traditional medicine, exhibit significant anti-tumor properties and can induce tumor cell apoptosis via different molecular pathways. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of GAs is crucial for the development of new cancer therapies.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Avantika Pandey, Madhoolika Agrawal, Shashi Bhushan Agrawal
Summary: Despite a rich history and economic importance, the potential of medicinal plants has not been fully explored under different abiotic stress conditions. The penetration of UV-B radiation and contamination of heavy metals have a significant impact on the defense-related and pharmaceutically important secondary metabolites of medicinal plants, which can affect both the quality and quantity of these metabolites. Understanding the effects of UV-B and heavy metal contamination on the biosynthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites is important for the comprehensive study of medicinal plants.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Srimanta Patra, Biswajita Pradhan, Rabindra Nayak, Chhandashree Behera, Krishna Chandra Panda, Surajit Das, Mrutyunjay Jena, Sujit Kumar Bhutia
Summary: Despite advancements in cancer diagnosis and therapeutics, the global incidence of cancer and cancer-related mortality is expected to rise in recent years. Non-nutritive dietary phytochemicals have emerged as potent modulators of apoptosis and autophagy in various cancer cells, showing promising therapeutic potential with minimal side effects and enhanced efficacy. Developing precision and personalized medicine and utilizing dietary phytochemicals as supplements will be increasingly prevalent in cancer therapeutics.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lina Trujillo, Janeth Bedoya, Natalie Cortes, Edison H. H. Osorio, Juan-Carlos Gallego, Hawer Leiva, Dagoberto Castro, Edison Osorio
Summary: In order to discover new molecules for cancer chemotherapy, researchers tested ten alkaloid fractions from Amaryllidaceae species on six cancer cell lines. The study focused on evaluating the effects of these alkaloids on the Bcl-2 protein family and HK2, and identified potentially cytotoxic alkaloids. Combining experimental and theoretical assays allowed for the identification of potentially useful alkaloids for cancer treatment.
Article
Biology
Pascaline Nanga Fru, Ekene Emmanuel Nweke, Nompumelelo Mthimkhulu, Sindisiwe Mvango, Marietha Nel, Lynne Alison Pilcher, Mohammed Balogun
Summary: Research has shown that polymer therapeutics can enhance the effectiveness of drugs on pancreatic cancer cells, inhibiting cell growth and affecting crucial chemoresistance-related genes. Furthermore, by inhibiting the production of the cytokine IL-6, it can improve the immune response, making it a promising direction for further exploration in pancreatic cancer treatment.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Farah Ballout, Zeina Habli, Omar Nasser Rahal, Maamoun Fatfat, Hala Gali-Muhtasib
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2018)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mohamad Ali Hijazi, Maha Aboul-Ela, Kamal Bouhadir, Maamoun Fatfat, Hala Gali-Muhtasib, Abdalla Ellakany
RECORDS OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2018)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Maamoun Fatfat, Isabelle Fakhoury, Zeina Habli, Rasha Mismar, Hala Gali-Muhtasib
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marwa Houssein, Mahmoud Khalil, Maamoun Fatfat, Hala Gali-Muhtasib
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reem Al Monla, Zeina Dassouki, Achraf Kouzayha, Yahya Salma, Hala Gali-Muhtasib, Hiba Mawlawi
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marwa Houssein, Maamoun Fatfat, Zeina Habli, Nasab Ghazal, Sara Moodad, Hala Khalife, Mahmoud Khalil, Hala Gali-Muhtasib
Review
Oncology
Zaynab Fatfat, Maamoun Fatfat, Hala Gali-Muhtasib
Summary: The long-term success of standard anticancer monotherapeutic strategies has been limited by tolerability issues, treatment resistance, and cancer relapse. Combination therapy has shown promising results in strengthening the anti-tumor potential, reducing toxic effects, and overcoming resistance. Interest in combining natural products with conventional chemotherapeutics to improve treatment efficacy has been growing, with Thymoquinone (TQ) emerging as a promising candidate due to its low toxicity and anticancer efficacy.
WORLD JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reem Al Monla, Zeina Dassouki, Nouha Sari-Chmayssem, Hiba Mawlawi, Hala Gali-Muhtasib
Summary: This study investigated the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and apoptotic effects of fucoidan and alginate from brown algae Colpomenia sinuosa on cancer cell lines. The results showed that highly sulfated fucoidans had stronger antioxidant and cytotoxic effects than alginate. When combined with vitamin C, fucoidan exhibited enhanced inhibitory effects on colon cancer cells viability.
Article
Oncology
Samar Al Bitar, Farah Ballout, Alissar Monzer, Mariam Kanso, Nour Saheb, Deborah Mukherji, Walid Faraj, Ayman Tawil, Samer Doughan, Maher Hussein, Wassim Abou-Kheir, Hala Gali-Muhtasib
Summary: This study demonstrates that combining thymoquinone (TQ) with ionizing radiation (IR) can enhance the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to radiotherapy, while sparing normal intestinal cells. TQ sensitization is associated with G2/M arrest, DNA damage, and changes in key signaling molecules. In addition, the combination treatment inhibits sphere formation and organoid forming ability. These findings suggest that combining TQ and IR could be a promising therapeutic strategy for eradicating colorectal cancer cells.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Zaynab Fatfat, Maamoun Fatfat, Hala Gali-Muhtasib
Summary: Colorectal cancer is still one of the most fatal malignancies worldwide despite significant progress in cancer therapy. The long-term effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs has been hindered by various limitations. In recent years, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, particularly polymeric micelles, have emerged as a promising approach to overcome these limitations. Polymeric micelles have shown great potential in improving the pharmacokinetic properties and safety profile of chemotherapeutic drugs, as well as achieving synergistic therapeutic outcomes through combination therapy.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marwa Houssein, Widian Abi Saab, Mahmoud Khalil, Hala Khalife, Maamoun Fatfat
CURRENT THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alissar Monzer, Nayri Jabotian, Farah Ballout, Jie S. Zhu, Mark J. Kurth, Makhluf J. Haddadin, Hala Gali-Muhtasib
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Tony Froehlich, Benardina Ndreshkjana, Julienne K. Muenzner, Christoph Reiter, Elisabeth Hofmeister, Sandra Mederer, Maamoun Fatfat, Chirine El-Baba, Hala Gali-Muhtasib, Regine Schneider-Stock, Svetlana B. Tsogoeva