Article
Plant Sciences
Rujira Tisarum, Rika Rika, Piyanan Pipatsitee, Thanyaporn Sotesaritkul, Thapanee Samphumphuang, Kwankhao Cha-um, Suriyan Cha-um
Summary: This study assessed the uptake and translocation of iron in the Catharanthus roseus plant, as well as its effects on plant physiological and morphological characteristics. The findings showed that high levels of iron inhibited root growth, caused stomatal closure, and led to toxic symptoms in the leaves.
PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Vyoma Mistry, Siddhi Darji, Pragya Tiwari, Abhishek Sharma
Summary: Catharanthus roseus is a medicinal plant known for biosynthesizing anticancer monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, with more than 130 bioactive compounds synthesized. Due to their cytotoxic nature, the production of these compounds is low in plants. Research has attempted to increase production through plant tissue culture and metabolic engineering.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Aqsa Zahid, Sikander Ali, M. Umar Hayyat, M. Usman Ahmad, Rabab Maqsood, Zafar Siddiq, M. Nauman Aftab
Summary: The current study successfully established stable phytases using poly-(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels as an entrapment matrix. The immobilized enzyme showed enhanced stability and increased phosphorus uptake and plant growth-promoting activities.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dylan Levac, Paulo Cazares Flores, Vincenzo De Luca
Summary: This study describes the identification and functional expression of a N-methyltransferase in Catharanthus roseus, providing detailed information about the pathway for the formation of anticancer alkaloids.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qi Chen, Yan Jin, Xiaorui Guo, Mingyuan Xu, Guanyun Wei, Xueyan Lu, Zhonghua Tang
Summary: Mechanical wounding is a novel approach to increase the biosynthetic production of specific secondary metabolites in plants. By stimulating mechanical damage to the upper and lower leaves, the production of secondary metabolites can be enhanced, offering new possibilities for the production practices of commercial plants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fanfan Li, Stephen Bordeleau, Kyung Hee Kim, Jonathan Turcotte, Benjamin Davis, Lan Liu, Stephane Bayen, Vincenzo De Luca, Mehran Dastmalchi
Summary: This study described a Catharanthus roseus mutant that accumulates high levels of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs). The mutant exhibited stunted growth and deficiency in chlorophyll biosynthesis, along with lesion formation. The lesions were enriched in MIAs and resulted from upregulation of genes involved in the MIA pathway. Furthermore, the accumulation of akuammicine, a minor constituent of the mutant, was found to be inducible by jasmonate and may have a role in plant defense.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
A. Mujib, Samar Fatima, Moien Qadir Malik
Summary: The study investigated the impact of gamma ray irradiation on callus biomass growth and the yield of vincristine and vinblastine in in vitro grown tissues of Catharanthus roseus. The lower gamma irradiation levels of 20-40 Gy were found to be more effective in enriching alkaloids, while higher doses declined the yield.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xin Wei, Chunyan Gao, Chunhao Chang, Zhonghua Tang, Dewen Li
Summary: This study found that exogenous trehalose has a positive regulatory effect on Catharanthus roseus under low-temperature stress, increasing plant chlorophyll content and antioxidant enzyme activity. However, trehalose application inhibited the accumulation of alkaloids in C. roseus. Additionally, trehalose significantly increased the expression of 4 enzyme genes involved in alkaloids metabolism.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ayub Shaik, Vani Kondaparthy, Rambabu Aveli, Louwkhyaa Vemulapalli, Deva Das Manwal
Summary: The study demonstrates that vanadium metal complexes have excellent inhibitory properties on PTP-1B and can reduce blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Among the complexes, [7-imi] shows the highest effectiveness in in vivo and in vitro studies.
APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Purin Candra Purnama, Leonardo Castellanos Hernandez, Robert Verpoorte
Summary: The presence and significance of endophytes in plant biosynthetic pathways is still unclear. Fungicide treatments have varying effects on plants, such as decreasing taxol content in Taxus and causing the disappearance of ergot alkaloids in Ipomoea asarifolia. Fungicides also affect the primary and secondary metabolism of plants, as observed in Narcissus pseudonarcissus cv. Carlton and Jacobaea.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kotaro Yamamoto, Dagny Grzech, Konstantinos Koudounas, Emily Amor Stander, Lorenzo Caputi, Tetsuro Mimura, Vincent Courdavault, Sarah E. O'Connor
Summary: Researchers developed an improved VIGS method and discovered a new biosynthetic enzyme, serpentine synthase (SS), in Catharanthus roseus, which produces beta-carboline alkaloids with strong blue autofluorescence and potential pharmacological activity.
Article
Plant Sciences
Dipti Tonk, Abdul Mujib, Mehpara Maqsood, Mir Khusrau, Ali Alsughayyir, Yaser Hassan Dewir
Summary: This study investigated the effect of Fusarium oxysporum on the yields of vinblastine and vincristine alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus embryos. The addition of F. oxysporum extract improved the growth of callus biomass and enhanced the accumulation of vinblastine and vincristine in the tissues. Low doses of the Fusarium treatment resulted in high germination rates and longer shoot and root lengths of somatic embryos. The yields of vinblastine and vincristine were measured, with the highest and increased yields observed in F. oxysporum-amended tissues.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yashika Bansal, A. Mujib, Jyoti Mamgain, Yaser Hassan Dewir, Hail Z. Rihan
Summary: This study aimed to establish a protocol for in vitro callus induction using anthers as explants. The best callusing medium contained high NAA and low Kn concentrations, with a callusing frequency of 86.6%. SEM-EDX analysis showed that anthers and anther-derived calli had similar elemental distribution. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of various phytocompounds in anther-derived callus, with 17 compounds exclusively present in the callus. Flow cytometry confirmed the haploid nature of the callus. This work provides an efficient method for producing high-value medicinal compounds from anther callus.
Review
Plant Sciences
Sunil Kumar, Bikarma Singh, Ramesh Singh
Summary: Catharanthus roseus is a traditional medicinal plant used in the treatment of cancer and diabetes, containing various compounds with pharmacological activities. Research has shown that extracts and compounds from this plant exhibit potential anticancer and antidiabetic properties, but caution is needed as toxicity can occur beyond a certain limit.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shaofei Rao, Xinyang Wu, Hongying Zheng, Yuwen Lu, Jiejun Peng, Guanwei Wu, Jianping Chen, Fei Yan
Summary: This study identified 31 CrRLK1L members in the Nicotiana benthamiana genome, divided into 6 phylogenetic groups with similar structures and motifs. The NbCrRLK1Ls were predicted to be regulated by cis-acting elements and by transcription factors. Expression profiles showed diverse patterns across tissues, and responses to pathogens indicated potential involvement in plant immunity.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Yasodha Sivasothy, Kok Hoong Leong, Kong Yong Loo, Siti Mariam Adbul Wahab, Muhamad Aqmal Othman, Khalijah Awang
Summary: Malabaricone C and Giganteone A show potential as antidiabetic agents by controlling glycemic levels, inhibiting oxidative stress, and acting as potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yee Teng Chan, Yi Ying Cheok, Heng Choon Cheong, Grace Min Yi Tan, Shi Rui Seow, Ting Fang Tang, Sofiah Sulaiman, Chung Yeng Looi, Rishein Gupta, Bernard Arulanandam, Won Fen Wong
Summary: This study explored the expression and function of podoplanin in a C. trachomatis infection model. It found that podoplanin expression increased in inflammatory macrophages and that macrophages lacking podoplanin had impaired migration towards the infection site.
IMMUNOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Norfaizah Osman, Azeana Zahari, Hazrina Hazni, Wan Nurul Nazneem Wan Othman, Nurulfazlina Edayah Rasol, Nor Hadiani Ismail, Pierre Champy, Mehdi A. Beniddir, Marc Litaudon, Khalijah Awang
Summary: Phytochemical investigation of the dichloromethane crude extract from the bark of Ochreinauclea maingayi using LCMS/MS-based molecular networking led to the isolation and identification of known and new indole alkaloids. The molecular networking analysis identified different clusters and nodes representing various compounds. By analyzing each cluster and node, it was determined that indole alkaloids are of interest, particularly those found between F5 and F10. Nine indole alkaloids were successfully purified and their structures confirmed using various analytical techniques. The presence of unannotated ions suggests the possibility of novel compounds yet to be discovered.
Article
Microbiology
Heng Choon Cheong, Yi Ying Cheok, Yee Teng Chan, Ting Fang Tang, Sofiah Sulaiman, Chung Yeng Looi, Rishein Gupta, Bernard Arulanandam, Li-Yen Chang, Won Fen Wong
Summary: In this study, the Pgp3 protein was synthesized and used to stimulate Hela cervical carcinoma cells in vitro. The results showed that Pgp3 induced significant expression of host inflammatory cytokine genes, suggesting a potential role of Pgp3 in modulating the host's inflammatory reaction.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Moong Yan Leong, Yeo Lee Kong, Kevin Burgess, Won Fen Wong, Gautam Sethi, Chung Yeng Looi
Summary: Nano-engineered medical products have emerged in the past decade. Current research focuses on developing safe drugs with minimal adverse effects. Transdermal drug delivery offers convenience, local targeting, and reduced toxicity. Nanomaterials provide alternatives to conventional methods and this article reviews the recent research and emphasizes the mechanisms and nano-formulations in use.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vaisnevee Sugumar, Maan Hayyan, Priya Madhavan, Won Fen Wong, Chung Yeng Looi
Summary: The use of transdermal delivery system as an alternative to conventional oral or injectable routes has gained recognition due to its non-invasive and easily adaptable nature. However, the stratum corneum of the skin poses a barrier for large molecules like insulin. Various chemical enhancers have been proposed to increase the permeability of the stratum corneum or the full epidermis. This review discusses the recent progress in the development of chemical enhancers for transdermal insulin delivery and compares them to other therapeutical drugs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yee Teng Chan, Yi Ying Cheok, Heng Choon Cheong, Ting Fang Tang, Sofiah Sulaiman, Jamiyah Hassan, Chung Yeng Looi, Kim-Kee Tan, Sazaly AbuBakar, Won Fen Wong
Summary: The resurgence of Zika virus infection has become a serious global health threat. Although most infected individuals do not show symptoms or only experience mild symptoms, Zika virus infection can lead to severe complications in adults and birth defects in newborns. The host immune system recognizes Zika virus primarily through certain receptors and triggers an immune response to limit viral survival. However, Zika virus is able to evade the host immune system through various strategies such as suppressing immune receptors and pathways, viral protein mutation, RNA modulation, and altering cellular pathways. Understanding the interaction between the host immune system and Zika virus provides valuable insights for developing new preventive and therapeutic strategies against Zika virus infection.
Review
Microbiology
Heng Choon Cheong, Sofiah Sulaiman, Chung Yeng Looi, Li-Yen Chang, Won Fen Wong
Summary: Chlamydia infection is a global public health concern with various complications in females. As a obligate intracellular bacterium, Chlamydia relies on host cell metabolism and apoptotic pathway molecules for survival and propagation. This review explores the strategies employed by Chlamydia in manipulating host cell metabolism for its own benefit.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Won Fen Wong, Kuan Ping Ang, Gautam Sethi, Chung Yeng Looi
Summary: Transdermal patches are a non-invasive method of drug administration that deliver medication through the skin into the bloodstream. They offer advantages such as being less invasive and bypassing issues with oral ingestion. Recent advances have led to the development of smart, dissolvable/biodegradable, high-loading/release, and 3D-printed patches. This review discusses the design and usage of medical patches in transdermal drug delivery.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
M. N. Azmi, N. S. Hasmaruddin, N. A. Mat Ali, H. Osman, S. Mohamad, T. Parumasivam, M. Z. Hassan, M. S. Abd Ghani, K. Awang
Summary: A series of new 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives have been synthesized and characterized. Compound 5d exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against M. smegmatis and showed good synergy with isoniazid. Docking simulation suggested its potential as a pantothenate synthetase inhibitor.
TROPICAL BIOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nur Amirah Saad, Sharifah Mohammad, Mohamad Hafizi Abu Bakar, Mohammad Tasyriq Che Omar, Marc Litaudon, Khalijah Awang, Mohamad Nurul Azmi
Summary: This study isolated 11 cyclic polyketides from the bark of Endiandra kingiana and found that compounds 9 and 2 exhibited potent inhibition towards alpha-amylase, while compounds 10 and 5 demonstrated good inhibition towards alpha-glucosidase. Molecular docking examination confirmed the inhibitory reactions of these compounds with alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes.
JOURNAL OF THE BRAZILIAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Saeed Reza Simaei, Vahid Reza Askari, Mahboobeh Rostami, Mohammad Kamalinejad, Mohammad Hosein Farzaei, Mohammadreza Morovati, Fatemeh Heydarpour, Zahra Jafari, Vafa Baradaran Rahimi
Summary: This study demonstrates that lavender and metformin have similar effects in treating PCOS patients, as both significantly increase progesterone levels and regulate menstrual cycles.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Peng-Ran Cao, Xiao Ren, Jie Lin, Yun-Long Mu, Yue-Qi Shan, Jing-Tong Zhu, Rong-Yi Xu, Xue-Xia Zhang, Wei-Guo Hu, Xin-Hua Lu
Summary: Four previously unknown angucyclinones umezawaones A-D (1-4) were isolated from the liquid cultures of Umezawaea beigongshangensis. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction, quantum chemical 13C NMR, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. All compounds exhibited potent inhibitory activities against indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase in enzymatic assays, with compound 2 showing the highest activity.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Marwa Mersni, Bingqing Zhou, Guillaume Reversat, Mohamed Larbi Khouja, Alexandre Guy, Camille Oger, Jean-Marie Galano, Thierry Durand, Chokri Messaoud, Claire Vigor
Summary: The relevance of oxylipins as biomarkers of oxidative stress has been established in recent years. This study evaluated the lipidomic profiling of different aerial parts of Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. using LC-MS/MS technology for the first time. The analysis revealed the existence of six PhytoPs and three PhytoFs, with stems having the highest amount of these metabolites. This study provides a foundation for exploring Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. as a potential source of plant oxylipins for therapeutic or pharmaceutical uses.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Lorenzo Buzzelli, Andrea Segreti, Daniela Di Gioia, Erika Lemme, Maria Rosaria Squeo, Antonio Nenna, Giuseppe Di Gioia
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive assessment of red yeast rice, including its biochemical composition, historical studies, cardiovascular disease prevention, and other clinical effects. Red yeast rice preparations have been proven safe and effective in improving lipid profiles, with a potential role in reducing cardiovascular risk.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xiuwen Zheng, Yuxin Zhang, Yinfeng Tan, Yonghui Li, Qianrong Xue, Hailong Li, Xuguang Zhang, Yipeng Pan, Jian Xu, Junqing Zhang
Summary: Alpinia officinarum Hance (AOH) may protect against diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) through multiple mechanisms, including lowering blood glucose levels, increasing gastrointestinal propulsion rate, improving gastric histological morphology, and regulating gut microbiota.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Na Chen, Rui Xie, Jia-pei Chen, Ying-li Zhong, Xian-wen Zhang, Qing-wen Gui, Chun Guo, Hua Yang
Summary: The study clones the SinSyn gene from Sinomenium acutum and analyzes its catalytic activity, confirming the biosynthetic pathway of sinoacutine and discussing its classification and pharmacological action.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Noura Bentarhlia, Badr Eddine Kartah, Mouhcine Fadil, Said El Harkaoui, Bertrand Matthaeus, Oualid Abboussi, Hanaa Abdelmoumen, Omar Bouhnik, Hanae El Monfalouti
Summary: The lipidic extract of Dittrichia viscosa exhibits significant wound healing activity and antimicrobial effects. It is rich in fatty acids such as linolenic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid, as well as compounds like gamma-tocopherols and sterols.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Hawraa Zbeeb, Hala Khalifeh, Giulio Lupidi, Francesca Baldini, Lama Zeaiter, Mohamad Khalil, Annalisa Salis, Gianluca Damonte, Laura Vergani
Summary: This study assessed the biological properties of S. spinosum fruits and found that the ethanolic extract exhibited significant anti-steatotic and antioxidant activities.
